Islamabad, Pakistan

On Friday, Pakistani counter-terrorism officials said that a "large-scale terrorism project" in the nation had been thwarted with the arrest of Amin ul Haq, a top Al-Qaeda leader and close aide to the assassinated terrorist Osama bin Laden, from Punjab province.

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Usman Akram Gonadal, DIG, Counter-Terrorism Department said, "The terrorist was apprehended during an intelligence-based operation." Haq was arrested from Sarai Alamgir, a town in the Gujrat district of Punjab province, after being classified as a global terrorist by the United Nations.

Significant breakthrough in Pakistan’s fight against terrorism: Police

A spokesperson for the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab Police called Haq's detention a major advance in the battle against terrorism.

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The police representative stated that Haq had been a close ally of Al-Qaeda's founder, bin Laden, since 1996. Haq was reportedly involved in planning destructive activities throughout the province and aimed to attack significant facilities and individuals.

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“The capture of Amin ul Haq marks a key progress in the continuous struggle against terrorism in Pakistan and globally,” said the CTD.

It has been reported that Haq was allegedly plotting a “large-scale terrorism project” in Pakistan.

The CTD has filed charges against the detained terrorist and moved him to a secure location for questioning.

Also read: Pakistan: Several killed as terrorists target hospital, army site near Afghan border

Bin Laden was killed in 2011 during a raid by the United States on his hideout in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

A senior officer from the Pakistani CTD mentioned that a case against Haq has been filed, and an investigation will determine the reason for his presence in Pakistan.

"He was last seen in Afghanistan in 2021. He also holds a Pakistani ID Card with addresses in Lahore and Haripur," Geo News cited the CTD officer.

According to the United Nations Security Council’s website, Haq, born in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan in 1960, was designated a global terrorist in 2001.

(With inputs from agencies)