Pak Taliban warns of struggle to free Dr Aafia

Pakistani Taliban has vowed to bring back Dr Aafia Siddiqui, a US-trained Pakistani neuroscientist accused of firing at US soldiers and FBI agents in Afghanistan in 2008 as she tried to escape from their custody by force. Dr Aafia was handed a 86-year sentence by a federal court in Manhattan, US, on September 23.

Azam Tariq, Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan spokesperson, told rediff.com, "Protests and rallies could not compel the Americans freeing Aafia but only the holy jihad can do this job. If the Americans were targeted around the world, no infidel would dare to arrest or punish any Muslim daughter."

Talking via telephone from an undisclosed location, Tariq said, "Dr Aafia is innocent; and the champion of justice has done injustice in this case. The mujahid forces will never implore the Americans for her release but will bring back the Muslim sister through sheer force."

Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani has reiterated the government's commitment to leave no stone unturned while bringing back Dr Aafia, also known as prisoner 650, and said that his government will use all means to seek her repatriation.

Reacting to Gillani's statement, Tariq said, "It is only lip service, neither the issue was taken seriously up by the government nor can Pakistan act against America's wish."

Azam added, "Americans will have to pay for this barbaric act; the act of injustice with Aafia is unbearable. Mujahideen will target the Americans all around the world and the infidels forces will meet their fate soon in the form of destruction."