Search the Internet          Tips  Links: Terror in America

Pakistan hands over 3 retired N-scientists to US

Pakistan has handed over three retired nuclear scientists accused of having links with terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden to United States authorities, media reports said on Tuesday.

Among those handed over was Sultan Bashiruddin Mehmood, one of Pakistan's top scientists.

Mehmood, along with two of his retired colleagues -- former chief engineer of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Abdul Majeed, and former PAEC scientist Mirza Yousaf -- were handed over to a joint team of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Central Intelligence Agency for further investigations, the Pakistan Observer reported.

Quoting sources, the paper said that Mehmood was questioned by Pakistani intelligence agencies for alleged links with the Taleban militia and Laden.

He was released on October 26 after being "cleared" by security agencies, but was again picked up from his home on the night of October 28.

Quoting sources close to Mehmood's family, the paper said the scientist had returned home in a precarious state of mental and physical health.

During the time spent with his family after being released by the security agencies, Mehmood appeared nervous, conspicuously quiet and displayed signs of extreme stress, the report said.

"He did not talk much. Throughout the two-and-a-half days at home he was constantly watched and nobody was allowed to meet him," it said.

Mehmood, who was again picked up on October 28, told his family while leaving that if they did not hear from him in a few days, they must deem him dead, the paper said, adding he had even left behind a will.

Mehmood, who resigned from the PAEC in protest when the Nawaz Sharif government considered signing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, later founded a NGO called 'Ummah Reconstruction' to carry out welfare activities in Afghanistan.

The US and British intelligence agencies alleged that the NGO was directly linked to Laden's Al Qaeda network.

They claimed that Mehmood's team was trying to develop nuclear technology for Laden.

PTI

America's War on Terror: The complete coverage
The Attack on US Cities: The complete coverage

The Terrorism Weblog: Latest Stories from Around the World

External Link:
For further coverage, please visit www.saja.org/roundupsept11.html

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report