Al-Qaeda claims responsibility for Benazir killing

It is believed that the decision to kill the former Pakistan PM was made by Al-Qaeda No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahiri in October, says a news agency.

The Al-Qaeda terror group has claimed responsibility for the assassination of former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto, Adnkronos International (AKI) news agency reported.

HT Image

"We terminated the most precious American asset which vowed to defeat (the) mujahadeen," it quoted Al-Qaeda commander and main spokesperson Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid as saying in a phone call from an unknown location, speaking in faltering English.

According to the agency, Al-Yazid is the main Al-Qaeda commander in Afghanistan.

"It is believed that the decision to kill Bhutto...was made by Al-Qaeda No. 2, the Egyptian doctor, Ayman al-Zawahiri in October," AKI said.

"Death squads were allegedly constituted for the mission and ultimately one cell comprising a defunct Lashkar-i-Jhangvi's Punjabi volunteer succeeded in killing Bhutto," it added.