Pak official confirms Shahzad’s claims of receiving terror training in restive tribal areas
By ANIMonday, May 24, 2010
NEW YORK - A top Pakistan military official, who is privy to the probe concerning the failed Times Square bomber, has put a stamp on Faisal Shahzad’s claims that he received terror training from militant groups based in the semi-autonomous tribal region in Pakistan along the Afghanistan border.
The official said that Shahzad indeed learnt bomb-making in Pakistan’s restive region along the Afghanistan border.
“Shahzad did go to the people who are operating in those areas. He did have some contact with them,” The New York Daily News quoted the official, who refused to be named, as saying.
“Shahzad was in cahoots with the Tehrek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), but it has yet to be established which specific group taught him bomb-making,” he added.
He also confirmed that five people have been detained for allegedly helping Shahzad.
“The suspects may have links with Faisal Shahzad. We have established some links with the Taliban in Pakistan,” the official said.
A Pakistan Army Major along with three others are said to be currently in the custody of Pakistani agencies for their alleged links with Shahzad. It is believed that they had provided financial and other logistical support for Shahzad’s botched bombing plot.
US officials had earlier said that they have growing evidence that a Pakistani Army Major had been in telephonic contact with Shahzad. (ANI)
