Security agencies released
Mualana Fazlur Rehman Khalil, the chief of banned Harkatul
Mujahdeen , formerly known as the Harkatul Ansar, after
a seven-month detention.
“Maulana Khalil was
detained for allegedly sending militants into Afghanistan,”
sources told Fact. Security agencies picked up Maulana
Khalil on May 20, 2004, from his residence, but talked
about his arrest in August when the government arrested
Qari Saifullah Akhtar from Dubai, sources said, adding
that security agencies investigated the maulana thoroughly
but could not prove that he was sending militants to Afghanistan.
“Maulana Khalil was
also alleged to have sent militants to assassination President
Pervez Musharraf in December last year in Rawalpindi,”
sources added.
Security agencies allowed
Maulana Khalil to talk to his family over the telephone
during the first five months of his detention, but he
could not contact them (family) during the last two months,
sources said.
Maulana Farooq Kashmiri,
a Jamiatul Ansar leader, had met Maulana Khalil four days
ago, sources said, adding that United Jihad Council leaders
also tried releasing the maulana. “During Maulana
Khalil’s detention, security agencies also permitted
his mother to meet him, but the meeting did not take place
for unknown reasons,” sources added.
