US announces $10 million reward for Mehsud & Haqqani

WASHINGTON: The United States has offered up to USD 10 million in rewards for information on Pakistani terrorist leaders Bitullah Mehsud, the mastermind behind the assassination of the former Premier Benazir Bhutto

WASHINGTON: The United States has offered up to USD 10 million in rewards for information on Pakistani terrorist leaders Bitullah Mehsud, the mastermind behind the assassination of the former Premier Benazir Bhutto, and Sirajuddin Haqqani.
It also announced another USD 1 million award for Al Qaeda terrorist leader Abu Yahya al-Libi, now believed to be hiding inside Pakistan or Afghanistan.

The US has awarded USD 5 million each for Baitullah Mehsud, the senior leader of Tehrik-e-Taliban (Taliban Movement of Pakistan) and Haqqani, a senior leader of the Haqqani terrorist network founded by his father Jalaladin Haqqani, State Department Deputy Acting Spokesman Gordon Duguid said in a statement.

"Mehsud is regarded as a key al-Qaida facilitator in the tribal areas of South Waziristan in Pakistan," he said.

"Pakistani authorities believe that the January 2007 suicide attack against the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad was staged by militants loyal to Mehsud. Press reports also have linked Mehsud to the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and the deaths of other innocent civilians," Duguid said.

He said during an interview with an American news organization, Haqqani admitted planning the January 14, 2008 attack against the Serena Hotel in Kabul that killed six people, including an American citizen Thor David Hesla.

In addition, Mehsud has stated his intention to attack the United States. He has conducted cross-border attacks against US forces in Afghanistan, and poses a clear threat to American persons and interests in the region, Duguid said, adding that the US is determined to bring Baitullah Mehsud to justice.

The award has been announced under US Rewards for Justice Program. Since its inception in 1984, it has paid more than USD 80 million to more than 50 persons who have provided credible information that has resulted in the capture or death of terrorists or prevented acts of international terrorism.

The US also announced a USD 5 million reward for and Sirajuddin Haqqani. It also announced another USD 1 million award for Al Qaeda terrorists leader, Abu Yahya al-Libi, now believed to be hiding inside Pakistan or Afghanistan.

Haqqani is a senior leader of the Haqqani terrorist network founded by his father Jalaladin Haqqani, and maintains close ties to al-Qaida. Al Libi, a Libyan citizen, is said to be a key motivator in the global jihadi movement.

In another statement, Duguid said, Haqqani also admitted to having planned the April 2008 assassination attempt on Afghan President Hamid Karzai. "He has coordinated and participated in cross-border attacks against U.S. And Coalition forces in Afghanistan. He is believed to be located in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan," Duguid said.