‘Qaeda has full support of Pak militants’

“While a major focus of these groups is conducting attacks against coalition forces in Afghanistan, they provide safe haven to al-Qaeda fighters, collaborate on attacks inside Pakistan, and support al-Qaeda’s external operations, including against the West,” the officer said at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

“The al-Qaeda is identifying, training and positioning operatives for attacks in the West, including in the US,” Gistaro added.

Al-Qaeda has now has strengthened its safe haven in Pakistan’s tribal areas by deepening its alliances with local militants and pushing many elements of Pakistani Government authority from the area, Gistaro said.

It now has many of the operational and organisational advantages it once enjoyed across the border in Afghanistan, albeit on a smaller and less secure scale, the officer said.

“Al-Qaeda’s ability to establish and manage links to other affiliated terrorist groups and facilitation networks is a key indicator of its organisational health. These links help bolster its operational and propaganda reach,” Gistaro said.

The officer pointed out that in spite of some significant losses, al-Qaeda has replenished its bench of skilled mid-level lieutenants capable of directing its global operations.

“…al-Qaeda has developed succession plans, can reshuffle leadership responsibilities, and promote younger commanders with years of battlefield experience to senior positions.

The leaders’ collocation in the FATA allows them to manage the organisation collaboratively, helping facilitate the replacement of key figures,” the officer maintained.