PAKISTAN
Al Qaeda claims Bhutto's death
Friday, December 28, 2007
According to Pakistani TV network ARY TV, Al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the assassination of ex-PM Benazir Bhutto. The Pakistani interior ministry has said it was unaware of this claim.
Friday, December 28, 2007
By AFP
Pakistan's interior ministry said Friday it was "unaware" of Al-Qaeda claiming a link to Benazir Bhutto's killing but said "extremist elements" behind a wave of attacks this year could be responsible.
Asked about a report on Pakistan's ARY TV network that the militant group founded by Osama bin Laden was to blame for Thursday's assassination, interior ministry spokesman Javed Cheema said the government did not know about that claim.
But he said the likely culprits were "the same extremist elements who have been perpetrating acts of terrorism in the country in the past."
Pakistan has repeatedly said Taliban and Al-Qaeda linked groups are behind the unprecedented wave of attacks this year that has left more than 800 people dead.
President Pervez Musharraf blamed Al-Qaeda when he survived two assassination attempts in 2003 in Rawalpindi, the same town where Bhutto was killed in a gun and suicide attack.
Pakistan said Al-Qaeda number three Abu Farj Al-Libbi was the mastermind of the attacks on Musharraf. He was arrested in 2005 and handed over to the United States.
Islamist militants have been waging an increasingly aggressive campaign in Pakistan. There have been more than 40 suicide attacks in the country this year.
Asked about a report on Pakistan's ARY TV network that the militant group founded by Osama bin Laden was to blame for Thursday's assassination, interior ministry spokesman Javed Cheema said the government did not know about that claim.
But he said the likely culprits were "the same extremist elements who have been perpetrating acts of terrorism in the country in the past."
Pakistan has repeatedly said Taliban and Al-Qaeda linked groups are behind the unprecedented wave of attacks this year that has left more than 800 people dead.
President Pervez Musharraf blamed Al-Qaeda when he survived two assassination attempts in 2003 in Rawalpindi, the same town where Bhutto was killed in a gun and suicide attack.
Pakistan said Al-Qaeda number three Abu Farj Al-Libbi was the mastermind of the attacks on Musharraf. He was arrested in 2005 and handed over to the United States.
Islamist militants have been waging an increasingly aggressive campaign in Pakistan. There have been more than 40 suicide attacks in the country this year.
There are no reactions so far.
Be the first user to react to this article.
You will only have to select the button <<REACT>> and fill the indicated fields.
Your reaction
Your reaction has been sent to FRANCE 24. Thank you for your feedback.
France 24 - Send by e-mail
The article has successfully been sent by email
