Pakistani-British terror suspect escapes

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- A suspect in a plot to blow up transatlantic planes from London escaped from an Islamabad court and was being sought in Pakistan Sunday.

Pakistan's Dawn newspaper reported Rashid Rauf escaped Saturday from the court where he had been brought for a hearing. All charges against Rauf have been dropped in Pakistan, but he was apparently being held for extradition to Britain.

Witnesses told CBS News Rauf escaped from the custody of up to 12 policemen. There were no incidents such as gunfire to suggest an organized effort to spring him.

Rauf was suspected of involvement in a plot last year to blow up planes flying from London's Heathrow airport to U.S. locations.

There were concerns Rauf might be headed toward Pakistan's tribal areas, which have become a stronghold of Islamist terrorists.

A Western diplomat told CBS News the incident would be a blow to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's government.

"They have pretended all along that they are determined to fight militants, but when you have such a high profile terrorist escaping from police custody, you have to ask questions about the way in which the Pakistanis are handling such operations," the diplomat said.