Failed Assassin Linked to Taliban
The would-be assassin of Defense Minister Mohammed Qassim Fahim has links with extremist Islamic groups in Pakistan and members of Afghanistan’s ousted Taliban movement, an Afghan intelligence official said Saturday.
Intelligence services reported Friday that they had foiled an attempt by Akram Taufiq Muramy to kill Fahim near the defense minister’s residence when they found the Iraqi national with 22 pounds of explosives tied to his body.
He “has very clear links with Taliban leaders and some Pakistani extremist groups,” said Amrullah Salihi, an intelligence chief.
Salihi didn’t specify which Pakistani groups.
Salihi said that the detainee, an Iraqi Kurd, had entered Afghanistan from neighboring Pakistan.
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