The Hindu : International / Globescan : Al-Qaeda jailbreak foiled

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 03, 2004

International

International - Globescan

Al-Qaeda jailbreak foiled

Karachi: Pakistani police have foiled a plot by militants linked to Al-Qaeda to attack a high-security prison and help 30 of the country's most dangerous terrorist suspects to escape. Heavily armed paramilitary troops have been ordered to patrol the streets around the main prison in Karachi and police with assault rifles have been stationed on watchtowers and at its gates since the discovery last week of the plan to blow a hole in the outer walls. As a bomb on a lorry was to be detonated outside, the 30 terrorist suspects planned to set off a series of smaller bombs inside the prison and, in the ensuing chaos, use smuggled weapons to effect their escape. Almost 5,000 prisoners, including 180 hardcore Islamists belonging to outlawed militant groups, are housed in Karachi's main jail. They include militants awaiting trial for their alleged involvement in assassination attempts on the Pakistan's president, General Pervez Musharraf.

telegraph Group Limited London, 2004

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