M A I N   N E W S

Pak man with 26/11 ‘link’ held in Zimbabwe

Johannesburg, June 26
A Pakistani national suspected to be linked to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, was nabbed in Zimbabwe while attempting to enter South Africa, raising fears that terror groups could be trying to target the FIFA World Cup underway here.

Imran Mohammad, 33, and Chaudhry Pevez Ahmed, 39, were intercepted at the Beitbridge Border Post between Zimbabwe and South Africa by immigration officers last Sunday after they were found to be travelling on fake passports.

"Indications were that...Mohammad is wanted in Pakistan, as he was allegedly involved in the terror attacks that rocked Mumbai in November 2008," state-run Zimbabwean newspaper Herald reported. It reported that Mohammad and Ahmed flew from Saudi Arabia to Tanzania, where they fraudulently acquired Kenyan passports before coming to Zimbabwe by road.

The paper quoting a police spokesman said investigations were continuing. Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena said the two were assisting the police with investigations. Assistant regional immigration officer Evans Siziba said: “It’s an issue that is before the police. Maybe when they are through we will be at liberty to comment.” The police and Immigration officials did not comment on whether an international arrest warrant had been issued against the duo.

With the purpose of the duo’s visit to the country unclear, the arrest raised concerns over the possibility of terror groups targetting the World Cup, but police assured visitors of all efforts to maintain security. — PTI