Pakistan arrests two French 'terror suspects'
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, April 15, IRNA -- Pakistan arrested two French terror suspects in connection with the deadly 2002 Bali bombings in Indonesia, television channels reported.
According to reports, the two Frenchmen were arrested from the eastern city of Lahore on the information of key Indonesian suspect of the bombing, Umar Patek, who had earlier been arrested in Pakistan.
Nearly 202 people, many of them Australians, were killed and 240 others were injured in the Bali attacks in 2002.
TV channels reported that a Pakistani - Ali Tahir - was also arrested, who met him at the Lahore airport. Tahir belongs to a Pakistani militant group, the reports said.
The arrested men, whose names have not been disclosed, were planning to move to Waziristan tribal region to join the Pakistani militants, ARY TV reported.
Dawn TV reported that Pakistani and French intelligence officials have confirmed the arrest. The two French Muslims are suspected to be linked to the international terror network.
Last month Foreign Office spokesperson, Tehmina Janjua, confirmed the arrest of Patek and said that counselor access would be given to the Indonesian High Commission and it is for them to identify the person.
Official sources had said that a team of Indonesian investigators would also be allowed to question Patek, the most wanted man in Indonesia .
Officials said that several other countries, who had lost nationals in the Bali bombings, were happy over the arrest of Patek and other suspects and they may also approach Pakistan for access.
Officials said Pakistan will have close interaction with the countries whose people were killed in the Bali attacks as part of the country's policy to share information with other countries.
Officials said they are investigating as how Patek, who belongs to militant group Jemaah Islamiah, and the French suspects entered Pakistan.
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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30339674
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