Bomb Suspect’s Ties to Pakistan Taliban Probed

May 6, 2010 03:51


Islamabad Official Claims Shahzad Received Instructions From Suicide-Bomber Trainer; Group Has Been Targeted by CIA Drones

By ZAHID HUSSAIN and TOM WRIGHT in Islamabad and KEITH JOHNSON in Washington at WSJ

U.S. and Pakistani investigators are giving increased credence to links between Times Square bombing suspect Faisal Shahzad and the Pakistan Taliban, with one senior Pakistani official saying Mr. Shahzad received instruction from the Islamist group’s suicide-bomb trainer.

If the links are verified, it would mark a stark shift in how the Pakistan Taliban—an affiliate of the Taliban in Afghanistan—and related jihadist groups in Pakistan pursue their goals. Until now, they have focused on attacks within Pakistan and in India, not the U.S.

For the past several months, Pakistan’s military has waged a battle against the Pakistan Taliban and a related group, Jaish-e-Mohammed, in the Pakistani tribal region of South Waziristan, which borders Afghanistan. The Pakistan Taliban’s leadership has been heavily targeted by missile strikes from Central Intelligence Agency pilotless drones.

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