Peace deal responsible for resurgence of terrorist attacks: State Department

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Washington, May 1 : The US State Department's annual review of terrorism around the world said that the major reason for a resurgence of terrorist attacks is the peace deal signed by the Pakistan Government and tribal leaders last year.

The Country Reports on Terrorism 2007, the official title of the document, stated that Al Qaeda had rebuilt some of its pre-9/11 capabilities in Pakistan's remote and less accessible areas.

"Numerous senior Al Qaeda operatives have been captured or killed, but Al Qaeda leaders continued to plot attacks and to cultivate stronger operational connections that radiated outward from Pakistan to affiliates throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe," the report said.

The report also states that Islamabad's crackdown on banned organisations, hate material, and incitement by religious leaders continued unevenly. Madrassa registration, foreign students' enrolment in madrassas, and financial disclosure requirements caused friction between the government and religious leaders.

"Pakistani security services co-operated with the United States and other nations to fight terrorism within Pakistan and abroad. Close co-operation between Pakistani, British, and American law-enforcement agencies exposed the August 2006 London-Heathrow bomb plot, leading to the arrest in Pakistan of Rashid Rauf and other alleged conspirators connected to the case," the Daily Times quoted it, as stating.

"Pakistan's leaders took steps to prevent support to the Kashmiri militancy, and the number of violent attacks in Kashmir was down by approximately 50 percent from 2006, according to public statements made by the Indian Defence minister," the report states.

The report said, "Pakistan arrested or detained several high-profile terrorist suspects, but faced significant challenges in prosecuting such cases. The government freed 28 militants in November, three of whom were convicted on terrorism charges, in exchange for the release of 213 Pakistani soldiers held by militant commander Baitullah Mehsud."

ANI

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