ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Pakistan says it captured, with U.S. help, a top al-Qaida figure suspected of planning attacks on American oil pipelines, tankers and other targets.
Pakistani officials said Younis al-Mauritani and two other senior al-Qaida operatives were captured in the southern Pakistan city of Quetta with help from U.S. intelligence agencies, in an operation seen as easing some of the tensions between the two countries, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.
Al-Mauritani had been tasked personally by Osama bin Laden to hit targets of economical importance in the United States, Europe and Australia, Pakistan's official news agency, Associated Press of Pakistan, said.
A senior Pakistani intelligence official confirmed the U.S. assistance but would not reveal the specifics.
"All I know is that some technical assistance was provided by the Americans," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to discuss such matters. "Leads were provided, which led to this operation, which was conducted independently by us."
Pakistani officials said al-Mauritani headed up the terror network's international operations, calling his capture "crucial."
