Pakistan says arrested five more `al-Qaeda` suspects
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, Aug 13, IRNA -- Pakistan`s Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat has said that another five suspects have been arrested in two days, adding that it is far too soon to know if they are connected with al-Qaeda. The minister also urged US officials to keep information from the investigation secret. In an interview with a foreign radio on Thursday, Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat said authorities are closing in on the al-Qaeda network`s operations in Pakistan and more arrests are likely soon. "The net is closing around the al-Qaeda structure within Pakistan, so certainly there is considerable room for optimism in this context," he said. He said his country`s aggressive pursuit of suspected al-Qaeda operatives will continue, but warns that some news reports about the sweep are incorrect. Pakistan said it had detained in recent days an estimated 20 al-Qaeda suspects, including most-wanted fugitive Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani and alleged al-Qaeda computer expert Mohammed Naeem Noor Khan. The minister said many recent news media reports are inaccurate or speculative about the details of those arrested or their attack targets. Hayat said news reports that are relevant could be jeopardizing future operations against al-Qaeda. He also urged caution on the part of US investigators to keep operational information secret. "Pakistani investigators are exercising extreme caution. I would also very strongly suggest and advise the American officials to also adopt a similar approach," Hayat said. Some recent media reports have suggested that Bush administration officials or investigators have leaked information about the Pakistani arrests in order to justify increased US national alert levels. /TSH/2330/1432
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