Shuster Applauds Capture of Senior Taliban Commander in Pakistan

Press Release

Shuster Applauds Capture of Senior Taliban Commander in Pakistan

Congressman Bill Shuster, a member of the bipartisan House Anti-terrorism Caucus today applauded news reports that Pakistani security forces have captured Mullah Obaidullah Akhund, the Taliban's number 3 commander in Pakistan.

"The American people are continually focused by the media on what is happening in Iraq. However, we cannot loose sight of the larger war against terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism that continues throughout the world."

Mullah Obaidullah Akhund ranks number three in the Taliban's 10 person leadership council. Before the United States routed the Taliban from Afghanistan, Akhund served as the group's defense minister. The capture of such a high ranking Taliban official could provide crucial intelligence in the search to find, capture or kill Osama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and Mullah Mohammed Omar, who remain at large. Additionally, information from Akhund's interrogation should allow Coalition forces to disrupt terrorist operations throughout the region.

"Pakistan's intelligence services have struck a major blow to the Taliban and I congratulate them. However, the capture proves that Al-Qaeda is operating within Pakistan's borders. Pakistan must do more to strike out at the terrorists who seek to destabilize the Middle East and bring war to every nation they consider infidels."

"The American people demand action. Pakistan cannot allow these terrorist thugs to operate in their country. I urge President Bush to call on Pakistan's government to allow American intelligence officials the ability to interrogate Akhund immediately and without condition."

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