On the Third Hand…

Pakistan al-Qaeda suspect killed

Pakistan says it has dealt a major blow to al-Qaeda’s operations after its security forces shot dead the country’s most wanted terror suspect.

Officials named him as Amjad Farooqi, wanted in connection with assassination attempts on Pakistan’s president and the murder of US reporter Daniel Pearl.

He was killed in a two-hour gun battle at a house in Nawabshah in the southern province of Sindh, the officials said.

At least three men were killed in the shoot-out, they added.

The BBC’s Paul Anderson in Islamabad says that for the Pakistani authorities, all roads to al-Qaeda activities in their country lead to Amjad Farooqi.

Our correspondent says he was accused of planning and providing foot-soldiers for several operations bankrolled by the network, including the two attempts to assassinate President Pervez Musharraf.

“I can confirm that Amjad Farooqi has been killed,” said Information Minister Sheikh Rashid. He said three important terror suspects had also been arrested.

I wonder how important… Good news anyway, even if they are mid-level.

[update} Jeff Quinton, of course, has a roundup.