After busting terror plot, UK points fingers at Pakistan
April 10, 2009 17:17 IST
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has asked President Asif Ali Zardari [Images] to do more to root out terrorism emanating from Pakistan's territory after police in the UK arrested a dozen Al-Qaeda [Images] suspects, including 11 Pakistanis, over a "very big terrorist plot".
"Prime Minister Brown telephoned President Zardari and the two leaders discussed matters relating to bilateral relations as well as the fight against terrorism,"
Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said in Islamabad [Images], without giving details.
However, Dawn newspaper reported that Brown raised concerns about links between terrorists in the UK and Pakistan and demanded 'intensified efforts to crush militants'.
The telephonic conversation between Brown and Zardari follow resignation of the UK's top counter-terrorism expert Bob Quick after a security blunder by the police officer, who inadvertently disclosed a covert surveillance operation against Al-Qaeda suspects, forcing premature raids by police who arrested 12 suspects, including 11 Pakistanis.
Earlier, Brown said in the UK that there are 'links between terrorists in Britain and terrorists in Pakistan. That is an important issue for us to follow through.'
'One of the lessons we have learnt is that Pakistan has to do more to root out terrorist elements in its country,' Brown told Sky News.
Brown said the British police raids on Wednesday targeted those behind "a very big terrorist plot", which authorities "have been following for some time".
The cell was believed to have been planning to carry out attacks during the Easter holidays.
Brown also sought Pakistan's help in probing the terrorist plot -- in which the 12th suspect arrested was a Briton with roots in the tribal areas while the 11 Pakistanis were in the UK on student visas.
British media reported that the mastermind of the terrorist cell was believed to have been Rashid Rauf, an Al-Qaeda suspect who was implicated in several other plots. He was reportedly killed in a US drone attack in Pakistan last year.
Al-Qaeda operatives in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region were highlighted as one of the major security threats confronting Britain in its government's counter-terrorism strategy published last month.
Spokesman Babar said Brown and Zardari also discussed US drone attacks in Pakistan's tribal areas and the fragile peace deal in the restive Swat valley. They also agreed to meet soon, he said.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has asked President Asif Ali Zardari [Images] to do more to root out terrorism emanating from Pakistan's territory after police in the UK arrested a dozen Al-Qaeda [Images] suspects, including 11 Pakistanis, over a "very big terrorist plot".
"Prime Minister Brown telephoned President Zardari and the two leaders discussed matters relating to bilateral relations as well as the fight against terrorism,"
Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said in Islamabad [Images], without giving details.
However, Dawn newspaper reported that Brown raised concerns about links between terrorists in the UK and Pakistan and demanded 'intensified efforts to crush militants'.
The telephonic conversation between Brown and Zardari follow resignation of the UK's top counter-terrorism expert Bob Quick after a security blunder by the police officer, who inadvertently disclosed a covert surveillance operation against Al-Qaeda suspects, forcing premature raids by police who arrested 12 suspects, including 11 Pakistanis.
Earlier, Brown said in the UK that there are 'links between terrorists in Britain and terrorists in Pakistan. That is an important issue for us to follow through.'
'One of the lessons we have learnt is that Pakistan has to do more to root out terrorist elements in its country,' Brown told Sky News.
Brown said the British police raids on Wednesday targeted those behind "a very big terrorist plot", which authorities "have been following for some time".
The cell was believed to have been planning to carry out attacks during the Easter holidays.
Brown also sought Pakistan's help in probing the terrorist plot -- in which the 12th suspect arrested was a Briton with roots in the tribal areas while the 11 Pakistanis were in the UK on student visas.
British media reported that the mastermind of the terrorist cell was believed to have been Rashid Rauf, an Al-Qaeda suspect who was implicated in several other plots. He was reportedly killed in a US drone attack in Pakistan last year.
Al-Qaeda operatives in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region were highlighted as one of the major security threats confronting Britain in its government's counter-terrorism strategy published last month.
Spokesman Babar said Brown and Zardari also discussed US drone attacks in Pakistan's tribal areas and the fragile peace deal in the restive Swat valley. They also agreed to meet soon, he said.
Comments