London, Nov 05: Al Qaeda militants, who have been
on the run since the US crackdown in Afghanistan, are
re-grouping in Pakistan and using Kashmir as a recruiting
ground, according to intelligence reports received here by the
British government.
British officials said they have also reasons to
believe that at least 1,000 al Qaeda elements and its
sympathisers have already moved into Iraq and helping out
supporters of ousted President Saddam Hussein in fighting the
US-led forces.
"Though still indigenously driven, insurgency in Iraq
is gaining momentum," warned a senior British government
official adding mainly it was being pursued by Saddam
loyalists.
The al Qaeda militants were being joined by "foreign
jihadis" in Iraq, the official told.
Though the Pakistani regime under President Pervez
Musharraf is taking some steps to round up such elements, many have succeeded in re-grouping in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, he said.
Bureau Report
