Pak connection to Canada's terror 'Operation Samosa'

Islamabad, Aug 31(ANI): Pakistani intelligence agencies had reportedly played a crucial role in foiling a major Al-Qaeda plot in Canada, which led to the arrest of three suspected terrorists earlier this month.

According to The Daily Times, Pakistani agencies had tipped off their Canadian counterparts, who then launched 'Operation Samosa', one of the biggest clandestine efforts in the history of Canada.

The operation culminated in the arrest of Misbahuddin Ahmed, Hiva Alizadeh and Dr. Khurram Sher from Ontario on August 18.

"An intensive investigation is continuing inside Pakistan about the alleged links of at least one of the suspects with terrorist groups in Pakistan and his multiple visits to Pakistan over the years," the newspaper quoted an official source, as saying.

"The ringleader of the terror plot travelled to the area located on the Pak-Afghan border to receive weapons training," he added.

Another diplomat said that "the plot ranged from Canada to Iran, Afghanistan, Dubai and Pakistan and that the terrorists are linked to a group in Afghanistan".

The three men have now been charged with "conspiracy to knowingly facilitate a terrorist activity".

It is the second major terror plot to be unearthed in Canada since 9/11.

Earlier, in June 2006, a group of young Muslim men dubbed as 'Toronto 18' were rounded up and prosecuted for planning to attack downtown targets and a military base. (ANI)