The CIA has added its support to the view that a Pakistani militant, Baitullah Mehsud, and al-Qaeda organised Benazir Bhutto's killing.
CIA Director, Michael Hayden, said that the former Pakistani prime minister was killed by fighters allied to Baitullah Mehsud though he refused to reveal the sources of the claim.
The Pakistani government accused Mehsud of the attack shortly after Ms Bhutto's death in Rawalpindi on 27 December.
Correspondents say that Mr Hayden's comments are the most comprehensive public assessment by US intelligence of Ms Bhutto's death.
Controversy however, still surrounds the circumstances of the killing- One or more attackers shot at her and detonated a bomb as she was leaving a rally in Rawalpindi.
Baitullah Mehsud has denied involvement. The Pakistani government says it intercepted a phone conversation proving that he was behind the attack.
'Organised campaign'
CIA Director, Michael Hayden, is now backing the Pakistani government's view saying that this was done by that network around Baitullah Mehsud. “We have no reason to question that," Mr Hayden told the Washington Post. He said the murder was "part of an organised campaign" that has included suicide bombings and other attacks on Pakistani leaders.
Mr Hayden said that the same forces were responsible for a new outbreak of violence sweeping across Pakistan which was undermining the stability of President Pervez Musharraf's government.
"You've got this nexus now that probably was always there in latency but is now active: a nexus between al-Qaeda and various extremist and separatist groups," Mr Hayden said.
"It is clear that their intention is to continue to try to do harm to the Pakistani state as it currently exists."
Forces belonging to Baitullah Mehsud have also been blamed by the government for seizing a fort from the military in the troubled region of South Waziristan.
SOURCE: BBC
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
The National Cathedral Psychosis, The Hole in Christ’s Heart and other holes in our body politic
23 minutes -
NDC Obuasi East MP-elect hails Supreme Court decision on re-collation
9 hours -
2024/25 GPL: Kwame Opoku scores on return as Asante Kotoko beat Gold Stars
9 hours -
Philip Nai and friends spend time with kids of Agblezaa on Christmas eve
11 hours -
Education is in crisis – NCPTA General Secretary
11 hours -
Celebrating 65 years of impact: Commonwealth scholars and fellows alumni in Ghana
11 hours -
Our confidence in the law has borne fruits – Ebi Bright on SC ruling
11 hours -
Mandamus application to be heard by new High Court judge – Supreme Court rules
12 hours -
Krofuom residents attack GNFS personnel as fire destroys Trinity TV and church
12 hours -
Movie review: Peter Sedufia’s ‘One Night Guests’
13 hours -
Three dead, several injured in accident on Cape Coast-Accra highway
13 hours -
MTN donates to support two hospitals in Savannah region
13 hours -
NDC victory a call to action for agricultural and economic revitalization in Ghana – Klutse Kudomor
13 hours -
Adidome Chief alarmed over rising teenage pregnancy in Central Tongu, calls for collective stakeholder action
13 hours -
MTN Foundation celebrates Christmas with new mothers across Ghana
13 hours