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Journalism of Courage
A top Al Qaeda militant of Tanzanian origin, carrying a $25 million reward for bombing US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998, was arrested from a hideout in Pakistan’s town of Gujarat, President Pervez Musharraf said.
The Tanzanian militant along with his Uzbek wife, family members and two South Africans was arrested on Sunday after a 15-hour gun battle with Pakistan police, Musharraf was quoted as saying by a local daily today.
Musharraf did not reveal the militant’s name but The Pakistan Observer, quoted Pakistani officials as saying the Tanzanian was identified as Ahmad Khalfan Ghailani
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat identified the captured as Ghailani and claimed the catch was a ‘‘phenomenal success in the international fight against terrorism. He is being questioned to know if he has links with other suspects in Pakistan,’’ the minister said, adding Ghailani will not be handed over to the US unless investigations in Pakistan are completed.
Ghailani, who is on the FBI’s list of most wanted terrorists, was indicted by southern district of New York in 1998 for his alleged involvement in the attacks on the two US embassies and the American government has announced a $25 million reward for his capture.
Ghalaini was charged with murder of nationals outside US and for conspiring to kill American citizens. The suspect, known by six other names, surrendered along with 14 others after his house was surrounded following a tip-off.
Police recovered huge cache of arms, communication equipment and other incriminating material from the house. Ghailani moved to Afghanistan after the Taliban took control of that country and worked with Osama Bin Laden and Mullah Omar. He also became a close associate of the Pakistan pro-Taliban tribal militant, Neik Muhammad who was killed recently by Pakistan security forces in Waziristan.
