Probe into plane terror plot continuing - Pakistan
The probe into the plot to blow up trans-Atlantic passenger planes was continuing, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said today, and that the “full picture” would be eventually revealed to the public.
Tasnim Aslam also criticised the media’s “continuing speculation” around the case, adding that most reports were baseless.
Pakistan, Britain, the United States and other countries are still investigating the plot and interviewing at least 30 people who have been detained since the plot was foiled earlier this month.
“It is in the larger interest of everyone that we get to the bottom of this plot and are able to ensure that no link remains unearthed and no link is missed,” Aslam said.
“Once we know that we have the full picture, we will share it with you.”
Pakistan arrested at least seven people after Britain said it has uncovered a plan to bomb as many as 10 US-bound jets from Britain.
One of the suspects arrested in Pakistan has been identified as Rashid Rauf, a dual British-Pakistani national who authorities here have described as a “key person” in the alleged conspiracy with links to al-Qaida militants in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Twenty-three people, including Rauf’s brother Tayib, are being questioned in Britain.
Over the weekend, Aslam said an al-Qaida operative based in neighbouring Afghanistan masterminded the Britain plot, but she refused to give his nationality or identity. Intelligence authorities said he was Arab, but did not specify his country.
Aslam also said Pakistan had not shared any evidence on involvement of Afghanistan-based al-Qaida in the plot.
Citing unspecified reports, Aslam said that “al-Qaida leaders and members are present in the bordering regions inside Afghanistan but no one knows their exact co-ordinates”.
Afghanistan has earlier rejected as a “diversionary” tactic the Pakistani claim that al-Qaida orchestrated the plot from Afghan territory.
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