Voice of America : Pakistan Names Rashid Rauf as Main Suspect in Foiled Terror Plot

Pakistan Names Rashid Rauf as Main Suspect in Foiled Terror Plot

By VOA News | 11 August 2006

Pakistan has disclosed the name of one of the two British nationals of Pakistani descent arrested in connection to the alleged plot to blow up U.S.-bound airliners from Britain.

A foreign ministry statement says Rashid Rauf is the main suspect in the foiled bomb plot and there are indications he has al-Qaida connections.

Pakistani officials say the two Britons were arrested last week in the cities of Karachi and Lahore. The officials say the suspects provided crucial information about the plans and that the information was passed on to British and U.S. intelligence.

On Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said the arrests were coordinated with British and American officials.

Pakistani investigators are still establishing the identities of the other five people arrested, but they say those suspects appear to be less important and just facilitators.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao told VOA Pakistan's key role in uncovering the alleged plot is part of its anti-terrorism policy and Pakistan is not doing it under foreign pressure. He said Pakistan will continue to help the international community in fighting terrorism.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.