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Captured al-Qaeda fighters reveal plan to attack Lahore
 The Al Qaeda terrorists arrested on Thursday from Kot Lakhpat, during interrogation, revealed a comprehensive plan to cause mayhem in Lahore, sources told Daily Times on Friday. Sources claimed that the terrorists, Zulfiqar, alias Mithu, and Shahid, were arrested after their brother, Mohammed Imran, who was captured in Peshawar earlier, gave up their whereabouts. The three were allegedly inspired by the teachings of their father, Professor Mehboob, a former schoolteacher.Sources said that terrorist Muhabat Khan, who was killed during the shootout after which the Al Qaeda terrorists were arrested, and his accomplice, who managed to escape, belonged to Al Qaeda's operation wing and had also fought against the Pakistan army in Wana and against the US army in Afghanistan. Sources said that anti-terrorist personnel seized a black motorcycle and discovered a huge payload of explosives hidden in an underground room at their house, after the detainees disclosed their location. Sources said that Muhabat Khan and his accomplice were bomb experts. They claimed that anti-terrorist personnel had conducted raids all over Lahore on information gathered from the captured terrorists but no arrest had been announced. However, sources claim that officials detained a number of suspects but released them after interrogation. "Muhabat Khan, an Afghan national, escaped from South Waziristan Agency with an accomplice and hid in his friend's house in Kot Lakhpat. An anti-terrorist team raided the house, where a gun battle erupted after the terrorists started firing using assault rifles, pistols and grenades," intelligence officials told Daily Times, adding that at least 200 bullets were fired at anti-terrorist personnel during the clash. Mohammed Imran, alias Bobby, a Peshawari residing in Bhatti Colony, was arrested after authorities intercepted his conversation with Muhabat Khan via wireless. Investigators made him keep his cell phone and wireless switched on, and receive all calls so that his link with Al Qaeda could be established. During interrogation, Imran confessed that he had given shelter to Muhabat Khan in Lahore. A team acting on his information made Thursday's arrests. Posted by: Dan Darling 2004-11-28 |
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