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Pakistan army officer held for 'links with militants' Pakistan army officer held for 'links with militants'
(about 3 hours later)
A senior officer serving in Pakistan's army has been detained for alleged contacts with a banned militant group. A senior officer serving in Pakistan's army has been detained for alleged contacts with banned extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir.
Pakistan's military spokesman confirmed to the BBC that Brigadier Ali Khan was being interrogated by the country's military intelligence unit.Pakistan's military spokesman confirmed to the BBC that Brigadier Ali Khan was being interrogated by the country's military intelligence unit.
Pakistan has banned a number of groups in recent years for supporting militancy and encouraging extremism. Pakistan has banned many groups in recent years for supporting militancy.
Brig Ali, who is based at military headquarters, was held last month and his family told he would be home soon.Brig Ali, who is based at military headquarters, was held last month and his family told he would be home soon.
"Yes, that's correct that he is under detention and an investigation is in progress for his contacts with a proscribed organisation," Maj Gen Athar Abbas told BBC Urdu's Asif Farooqi."Yes, that's correct that he is under detention and an investigation is in progress for his contacts with a proscribed organisation," Maj Gen Athar Abbas told BBC Urdu's Asif Farooqi.
He did not provide any more details about the nature of the alleged contact or the organisation the brigadier is accused of being in touch with. Hizb ut-Tahrir is a global Islamist group that wants to revive the Islamic caliphate and unify Muslim countries under Islamic laws. The group is active in Western countries, but the Pakistan chapter of the organisation is not particularly prominent
"Any more details at this point in time may affect our investigation process," Gen Abbas said.
'Brilliant' record'Brilliant' record
A senior military officer, who wished to remain unnamed, told our correspondent that senior officers were both surprised and "disturbed" when a secret report was presented to them about the "inappropriate" activities of the brigadier.A senior military officer, who wished to remain unnamed, told our correspondent that senior officers were both surprised and "disturbed" when a secret report was presented to them about the "inappropriate" activities of the brigadier.
Brigadier Ali Khan is not thought to have been directly involved in planning army operations, but he was said to be an influential officer, and one who had a very good service record.
It is unclear if his detention is part of a larger push. But the Pakistani army has come under tremendous outside pressure since Osama Bin Laden was found and killed, with many asking questions about its links to militant groups.
There are suggestions of other similar arrests that we have not been told of in the past. The finding of radical elements within its ranks is something the army is thought to have gone to considerable lengths to keep quiet.
The army here is reflective of the wider society it serves, and just as there are some across Pakistan who sympathise with radicals, so that is likely to be the case with the army. All the more so because for many years, it was an organisation that was openly orientated towards supporting jihadi groups, something it now insists has changed.
The officer is known to have a "brilliant" service record and comes from a family with three generations of military service.The officer is known to have a "brilliant" service record and comes from a family with three generations of military service.
Brig Ali's father was a junior commissioned officer, his younger brother is a colonel serving in the intelligence service. His son and son-in-law are both army captains.Brig Ali's father was a junior commissioned officer, his younger brother is a colonel serving in the intelligence service. His son and son-in-law are both army captains.
A military source told our correspondent that Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, Pakistan's army chief, had asked for a briefing about the brigadier and after being satisfied about the weight of the "evidence", ordered the arrest himself. A military source told our correspondent that Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, Pakistan's army chief, had asked for a briefing about the brigadier, and after being satisfied about the weight of the "evidence", ordered the arrest himself.
This is not the first time allegations have been made about links between elements in Pakistan's military and banned organisations, including militant groups.This is not the first time allegations have been made about links between elements in Pakistan's military and banned organisations, including militant groups.
At least two army officers were court martialled last year for links with the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir group. At least two army officers were court martialled last year for links with Hizb ut-Tahrir.
In 2004 several low-ranking military personnel were convicted in connection with attempts on the life of former President Pervez Musharraf.In 2004 several low-ranking military personnel were convicted in connection with attempts on the life of former President Pervez Musharraf.
Last week, Pakistan's military denied that a major was among several people who had been detained accused of being CIA informants and passing on information which helped the US track down and kill al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. Last week, Pakistan's military denied that a major was among several people who had been detained, accused of being CIA informants and passing on information that helped the US track down and kill al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden.