Pakistani American arrested in connection with failed Times Square bombing plot
By ANITuesday, May 4, 2010
NEW YORK - US investigators have arrested a Connecticut man, a naturalized Pakistani American, in connection with Saturday night’s failed Times Square bombing plot.
According to sources, the man, identified as Faisal Shahzad, was believed to have bought the Nissan Pathfinder, the SUV which was found abandoned loaded with crude explosives at the busy Times Square.
Shahzad was apprehended at the Kennedy Airport, when he was apparently trying to flee, The New York Times reports.
Earlier, federal authorities confirmed ‘foreign links’ in the failed bombing plot, and said they were probing the possibility of a ‘naturalized American citizen’ being involved in the incident.
Senior Obama administration officials said the latest investigations support the suspicion that there was a foreign connection behind the terror plot.
Sources said evidence includes international phone calls made by the person, who has not been identified publicly.
“Don’t be surprised if you find a foreign nexus. They’re looking at some tell-tale signs and they’re saying it’s pointing in that direction,” said a senior White House official.
It may be noted that the Pakistan Taliban has already claimed the responsibility for the bombing plot.
The last owner of the Nissan Pathfinder, had told the investigators that he had recently sold the SUV to a “Middle Eastern” or “Hispanic” looking man for 1,300 dollars.
Earlier, for the first time the White House confirmed that the plot was a ‘terrorist act’.
“I think that we have made really substantial progress. Ultimately this investigation will be successful and the people responsible for that attempt will be found and brought to justice,” Attorney General Eric Holder told reporters. (ANI)
