Military

Al-Qaeda intelligence chief killed in tribal operation: Pak spokesman

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, March 29, IRNA -- A key member of al-Qaeda was killed 
during the 12-day operation in tribal region, bordering Afghanistan, a
military spokesman said Monday. 
Abdullah, the al-Qaeda intelligence chief, is among those killed 
in the operation, Major General Shaukat Sultan, the military spokesman
told a news conference in Islamabad. 
He said a total of 63 militants and their local supporters have 
been killed since the operation was launched on March 16. 
The areas cordoned during the last 12-day has been cleared `and 
the cordon has been removed`, General Sultan said. 
According to the spokesman some 167 people who were arrested 
during the operation `are under interrogation`. 
He however avoided giving the number of foreign militants and 
their rank in al-Qaeda or other such network saying, `at this juncture
sharing preliminary investigation might harm the probe process`. 
Arguing earlier figure of 400 to 500 militants giving opposition 
to the army in the identified seven targets at Kaloosha, Azam Warsak 
and Shin Warsak, the general said, "Some militants in small groups 
slipped and spread in the vicinity but we are keeping eyes on them as 
Pakistan military already took measures to tackle them in the possible
areas where they are. 
"We will arrest them after credible intelligence tip and they 
could not hide themselves from the troops," he said. 
Also in the press conference, Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan
rejected that Pakistan has been moving against the militants on the 
behest of any other country. 
"We are not taking action on the tip of someone but war against 
terrorism is in the interest of Pakistan and its people." 
He said Pakistan will go after the militants until `they are 
completely flushed out`. 
TK/TSH/AH/210 
End