As Pakistan continues its relentless campaign against al-Qaeda, diplomatic circles in Islamabad and Washington believe that some "high-value" targets might already have been arrested to be produced at a later date.
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At the same time, the strongest-ever operation in the country against jihadi forces is seen as a preemptive strike against a backlash in the event of a high-value target being caught. On Monday, the Pakistani army said security forces had killed four suspected al-Qaeda members and captured two others in a raid in the tribal regions of Northern Waziristan. Hundreds of security forces backed by helicopter gunships took part in the raid, according to official reports. This follows news on Sunday of the arrest of more than 10 suspects believed to be involved in a plot to bomb high-profile targets in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, including the US Embassy and the official residences of Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf. The attacks were to have taken place on August 14, Pakistan's independence day. Large caches of weapons were also seized, including bombs generally used in suicide attacks.
Over the past month, scores of al-Qaeda suspects have been rounded up, including Muhammad Naeem Noor Khan, who was apprehended on July 13 and who intelligence officials believe helped al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden communicate with his network. Asia Times Online security sources say there has been extraordinary activity in the corridors of power recently, especially in the offices of Military Intelligence in General Headquarters, Rawalpindi, Inter-Services Intelligence, and the Intelligence Bureau in Islamabad. All three agencies have been ordered to make as many arrests as possible, using the contacts they have built up over the years with militant and jihadi groups. The spate of arrests in recent days is evidence that they are obeying their orders with considerable - and unaccustomed - zeal, with few being spared. |