Security forces in Pakistan have arrested a top Sunni militant of outlawed outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeH) for his alleged involvement in murder of Wall Street Journal journalist Daniel Pearl.

Islamabad, March 19/Nationalturk-: In a major breakthrough, security forces in Pakistan have arrested a top Sunni militant of outlawed outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeH) for his alleged involvement in 2002 slaying of Wall Street Journal journalist Daniel Pearl.

“Qari Abdul Hayee alias Asadullah, who was wanted for his alleged connection in the 2002 slaying of an American journalist, Daniel Pearl, was arrested by police,” Pakistani paramilitary Rangers spokesman said.

He said Hayee was arrested during a targeted raid on University Road area  in Karachi and was taken to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

“Hayee  was also in the picture about US journalist Daniel Pearl’s murder case,” the Rangers spokesman said.

38-year-old Pearl was the South Asia bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal when he was abducted in Karachi, Pakistan on January 23, 2002, while researching for a story about Islamist militants.

Later, a month later, a graphic video showing his decapitation was delivered to the US consulate in Karachi.

Pakistani police blamed Pearl’s kidnapping and beheading on a group of Islamic militants headed by Ahmed Saeed Sheikh, also known as Sheikh Omar, who was released in exchange of Indian Airlines passenger by Indian government.

The British-born militant was arrested with three others and convicted in June 2002 of Pearl’s murder by an anti-terrorism court. Omar and three others who were jailed for life lodged appeals that are pending in Sindh province.

Meanwhile, Pakistani Rangers spokesman said Hayee was also involved in planning an attack on US soldiers near airport in 2002. “In December 2002, his group had planned a suicide attack on a hotel near Karachi Airport, where US soldiers were lodged. However, while preparing the improvised explosive device, one of his associates, Asif Ramzi, was killed, due to which the plan was shelved,” he said.

“Hayee is also accused of sending parcel bombs to CID police officers. Weapons were also recovered from Asadullah’s possession,” added Rangers spokesman.

Family hails Hayee’s arrest

The family of slain US journalist Daniel Pearl has hailed the arrest of Hayee, who was allegedly involved in his 2002 murder.

Ruth and Judea Pearl, who live in the Los Angeles area, hailed the news, in a statement issued through the New York-based Daniel Pearl Foundation.

“We are gratified with this latest arrest and hope that justice will be served in a timely manner on all those who were involved in the abduction and murder of our son, Danny,” they said.

Write your comments and thoughts below

Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk Pakistan News

 

[adrotate banner=”41″]