Bin Laden ‘close aide’ arrested in IBO

The Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested a close associate of former al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks in the United States, in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Gujrat, a spokesperson said on Friday.

The CTD spokesperson identified the arrested all-Qaeda terrorist as Aminul Haq, whose name appeared in the United Nations’ updated list of designated terrorists. The spokesperson said that a case of Haq’s arrest had been registered and further investigations was under way.

“In a significant breakthrough in the fight against terrorism, CTD, in collaboration with intelligence agencies, successfully apprehended Aminul Haq, a senior leader of al-Qaeda,” the spokesperson said in the statement. “His name is included in a UN list of terrorists,” it added.

It was the first al-Qaeda arrest in Pakistan in many years. The CTD registered a case against Haq, accusing him of planning to sabotage key installations in Punjab. However, the spokesperson did not provide details about his exact plans.

CTD head Usman Akram Gondal termed Haq’s arrest “a major victory in the ongoing efforts to combat terrorism” worldwide. “He [Haq] resurfaced after the withdrawal of western forces [from Afghanistan]. He visited Afghanistan in August and he began his efforts to reorganise al-Qaeda.”

The United Nations sanctions panel on ISIL (Da’esh) and al-Qaeda, which has been maintaining a list since January 2001, identifies the arrested man as Amin Muhammad ul Haq Saam Khan, calling him a security coordinator for bin Laden.

Haq figured on the list for his association with the al-Qaeda, bin Laden or Taliban groups, contributing to or supporting activities such as “supplying, selling or transferring arms and related materiel” to them, the panel said. (WITH INPUT FROM AGENCIES)