Nine Suspected Militants Linked to Al-Qaeda Network Arrested in Pakistan - 2002-12-19

The police in Pakistan report that nine suspected militants linked to the Al-Qaeda terrorist network have been arrested, including two Americans and one Canadian of Pakistani descent. Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Pakistan's Information Minister, stated that the arrests occurred during a police raid on the home of a doctor near the city of Lahore. Officials believe that this doctor, named Ahmad Javed Khwaja, who is among those arrested, has treated Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan. However, his family members deny any connection to either group. The other eight detainees include two sons, two brothers, three nephews, and an uncle of Dr. Khwaja. Relatives of the detainees claim that the doctor's sons hold American citizenship and one of the nephews has become a Canadian citizen. According to some reports, FBI agents were also involved in the raid, but the Information Minister of Pakistan stated he could not confirm these reports. Media reports also indicate that there was gunfire during the raid, but no one was harmed. Relatives of Dr. Khwaja stated that Christina Rocca, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, praised Pakistani officials for their cooperation in the U.S.-led fight against terrorism. Pakistan has arrested over 420 suspected militants linked to Al-Qaeda in this context.