Pakistan Captures 21 Al-Qaeda Suspects

13 September 2005 -- Pakistani forces say that they have captured at least 21 Al-Qaeda fighters and their local supporters in the country's North Waziristan tribal region.
A senior military commander said today that the Pakistani forces battling suspected terrorists in the tribal region bordering Afghanistan, recovered for the first time drone aircraft and missiles, along with a cache of arms, during five different operations that began 10 September.

Lieutenant General Safdar Hussain said it is the biggest ever military operation against Al-Qaeda and its local allies in the North Waziristan region.

He also announced deployment of 5,000 additional troops to seal the region.

Pakistan already has about 70,000 troops to man its more than 2,100-kilometer border with Afghanistan.

(dpa)