Pakistan fears reaction on Bajaur air strikes

Islamabad, Nov 5 (UNI) Pakistani intelligence and law and order agencies are expecting a reaction to the last Monday's Bajaur air strikes in the form of terrorist violence in Karachi, a media report said.

Some intelligence agencies sent reports to the higher authorities that they suspected an al Qaeda activist from Uzbekistan, Umar Uzbek, was leading a group that was spreading its network in Karachi. Uzbek is a leading member of the Harkat Jihad-e-Islami of Uzbekistan.

Umar Uzbek was detected in Karachi near Sohrab Goth recently. His group is believed to be currently raising funds.

His name first came to light in the investigations into the suicide bombing that killed Allama Hasan Turabi in July.

During the investigations, three men were arrested and the information they provided included the names of Umar Uzbek, Hazrat Ali, Khalid, Qari Abid, Naeemur Rehman and Maulana Raees.

These people were also suspected to be involved in the planning of the Turabi case. They were declared absconders in the case. This is the first time that an Uzbek group has been linked to a terrorist act in Karachi.

In September, one member of the group, Hazrat Ali, died while making a bomb in a Darra Adamkhel village. Qari Abid, who hails from Wana, appears to be linked to the wanted Abdullah Masood.

The agencies fear that the group could target either a public figure or an official convoy.

At least 80 suspected militants were killed during the air strikes on a religious seminary in Bajaur tribal region.

UNI XC SK RS1835