WASHINGTON DC: In an email interview with The Express Tribune, a US official, confirming the arrest of Younis al-Mauritani by way of a co-operative action by Pakistan and US, called it a major blow to al Qaeda.
Describing al-Mauritani , as a seasoned and senior operative who was trusted by the group’s top leadership, the US official, who did not wish to be named, said that al-Mauritani played “an absolutely central role in planning and coordinating al Qaeda's operations in Europe, plots that targeted both European and American interests.”
The arrest comes after months of tense relations between both the United States and Pakistan, and especially amongst their intelligence agencies. The US official said that “this victory shows the continuing strength and value of US-Pakistani counterterrorism cooperation. The Pakistanis deserve real credit for their hard investigative and operational work in taking deadly threats like al-Mauritani off the battlefield. There is clearly more to be done, and both sides recognise the imperative of acting together against these dangerous targets."
When asked about the kind of co-operation and assistance provided by the United States to Pakistan, the official said that the US had provided “critical lead information and technical assistance in working with Pakistan to eliminate the threat posed by this terrorist."
Al-Mauritani was arrested by Pakistani security forces along with two other senior al Qaeda operatives from the Balochistan capital, Quetta on Monday.
Pakistan and US have experienced strained intelligence ties in the months after a US intelligence operative, Raymond Davis was arrested in Lahore for shooting two Pakistanis.
The ties between the two War on Terror allies were further strained after the US conducted unilateral military action deep into Pakistani territory by killing Osama bin Laden in a Abbottabad compound.
White House applauds but does not confirm
According to a transcript of the press gaggle by White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest, said that while he had seen reports of al-Mauritani's arrest, he was not in a position right now to confirm those reports.
"I can tell you that the United States continues to work with our partner, Pakistan, to achieve our central goal of dismantling, disrupting, and defeating al Qaeda; that certainly the al Qaeda elements that are in place in Pakistan are a threat to both the Pakistani people and to the American people and our allies, and that’s an effort that we will continue to cooperate on with them moving forward."
COMMENTS (13)
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and the reward is ............................drum rolling.....................................drones lots and lots of them
@syed Imran: There are quite many fellow Pakistani who believes current state of our country is Pakistan's own doing. Does it make it right ? Same goes true for few Americans who believe their policy in any way motivated the attack. There is no excuse for barbaric act against innocents. How does it make us different from them if we attack their innocents just because they bomb ours ????
Rare good work by Pakistani intelligence agencies.
Great job mods! no wonder you are from the country that erased the word "muslim" from Abdus Salam's grave to nonsensical "world's first Nobel laureate"
It is good that the relationship between the agencies of the two countries is improving. Hopefully, Al-Qaeda would be dismantled soon.
@ MIRZA Americans believe US policies motivated 9/11 attacks: Pew Poll--Times of India You American agent--always trying to run down Pakistan and its Institutions
@Imran Mohammad: You're getting ahead of yourself. There is a Pakistan/ISI pattern of finally doing something headline worthy in regard to their anti-terror claims when the heat from doing nothing gets too hot.
If they do it one or two more times in the time span of 6 months to a year, then you can say that. You should understand. In just 4 words it's obvious you have their same belief when it comes to anything good Pakistan does. "We did our one good deed for the year, so sing our praises. Now, as a reward we're taking a vacation again to pat ourselves on the back. Don't complain too quickly, we need the rest and time to reconcile with our assets saying one of their people being sacrificed every so often is one condition of their lease in regard to their rent payments."
I hope it actually continues and I don't even want to speak negatively of them right now because it's wrong to not acknowledge positive action while only pointing out the bad. But, your simple one liner was absurd enough for me to bend.
Well done ISI and concerned secret services for co-coordinating this arrest. Please keep it up and don't be shy of 'do more' word as this is your duty to do more until terrorism is completely rooted out. I salute and thank you.
Is there going to be any apologies for the "shock and awe" campaign against the people of Iraq?
Please stop terrorist activities in Pakistan then respectable USA in reward....
Stop bashing ISI now.
The news says " a co-operative action by Pakistan and US" and this is the key point! Pakistan did not do it on its own and the US left them no choice by providing the exact whereabouts of "Quetta Shura". This might have been a trial/test baloon by the US for Pakistani establishment. Both the US and Pakistan want to show their efficiency against the terrorists before the 10 year aniversary of 9/11.