Close Aide of Osama Bin Laden Arrested in Pakistan
The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and intelligence agencies have successfully arrested Dr. Muhammad Aminul Haq, a “close associate” of Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, during a joint operation in Gujrat city, Punjab.
Details of the Arrest
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) CTD Usman Akram Gondal announced on Friday that Dr. Aminul Haq, a high-profile terrorist originally from Afghanistan, was hiding in Pakistan using fake documents. Aminul Haq was Osama bin Laden’s chief security officer and was with him during the Tora Bora period. His identification number was 002.
UN Global Terrorist List
Dr. Aminul Haq is listed on the UN’s global terrorists list. Following the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan, Haq had visited the country. He was previously arrested in 2007 but released due to insufficient evidence.
Counter-Terrorism Efforts
According to AFP, counter-terrorism officials apprehended Aminul Haq in Gujrat, accusing him of planning sabotage activities and targeting important installations in Pakistan. “The arrest of Aminul Haq is a major victory in the ongoing efforts to combat terrorism in Pakistan and worldwide,” stated Punjab’s Counter Terrorism Department.
Press Conference Insights
In a press conference, DIG Usman Akram Gondal detailed that Aminul Haq had resurfaced after NATO forces withdrew from Afghanistan and had begun efforts to reorganize Al-Qaeda. Haq’s name is also on the terrorist lists of the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations.
Historical Context
After the 9/11 attacks, US troops, backed by NATO, toppled the Taliban regime in Afghanistan for refusing to hand over Al-Qaeda militants. Osama bin Laden was later found and killed in Pakistan in a night-time US operation in 2011. The Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021, ousting the foreign-backed government after two decades of conflict.
The arrest of Dr. Muhammad Aminul Haq underscores the ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and enhance security in the region.