Suspected German al-Qaida militant wearing burqa arrested in Pakistan’s restive northwest

Officials: German militant detained in NW Pakistan

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan — A suspected German al-Qaida member wearing a woman’s burqa was detained Monday after leaving Pakistan’s militant heartland close to the Afghan border, security officials said.

The 27-year-old man is allegedly an expert in making suicide vests who crossed into Pakistan from neighboring Afghanistan a few months ago, said intelligence officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

The German was in a vehicle with a local man and his young daughter when he was picked up at a check post in Bannu district, which borders North Waziristan, said police officer Ghulam Farid.

He was traveling with a fake Pakistani passport, said the intelligence officials.

A burqa covers the entire body, including the face. It is worn by most women in northwestern Pakistan when they leave the house.

North Waziristan is a known sanctuary for al-Qaida and the Taliban and has long drawn foreign militants.

Western governments are concerned their nationals are traveling to the region to hook up with al-Qaida and plot or train for terrorist attacks at home.

Foreigners are not allowed to visit Bannu, Waziristan and parts of the Afghan border region without permission.

Farid said the man, who was not identified, was being questioned by security officials.