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Not Al-Qaeda spy chief, says Pakistan

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, MARCH 30. Less than 24 hours after the declaration that the Al-Qaeda intelligence chief was killed in the latest operations bordering Afghanistan, Pakistan has clarified that it was a case of mistaken identity.

The Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Shaukat Sultan, told reporters here, "He is not really the intelligence chief for all Al-Qaeda, but he was one of the top intelligence people in Wana for Al-Qaeda."

Maj. Gen. Sultan had surprised reporters by announcing in a very casual manner at a news conference here on Monday that `Abdullah', chief spy of Al-Qaeda was one among the "high value targets" killed in the 12-day operation in the Waziristan tribal agency.

The military spokesman appeared caught off guard when a reporter wanted to know the full name and nationality of the Al-Qaeda intelligence chief. "Well we are still in the process of getting the details," he quipped and declined to answer further questions.

The goof-up is a major embarrassment for the military, particularly since the operation has been criticised by the Opposition and the press for the lack of proper planning. The Pakistan Government called off the operation on Sunday on the plea that its objectives had been achieved.

Since the operation was wound up after the militants agreed to hand over 12 soldiers captured in the course of the fight, it led to speculation that there was some kind of quid pro quo. Though the military denied any compromise, several questions have remained unanswered.

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