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AFGHANISTAN: The US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has hailed the Afghan and US special forces for the successful operation that led to the recovery of Ali Haidar Gilani, saying the raid demonstrates the growing the capabilities and effectiveness of the Afghan forces.
“The raid demonstrates the growing capabilities and effectiveness of the Afghan security forces and is an excellent example of the strong security and intelligence partnership between Afghan and U.S. forces under Operation Freedom’s Sentinel,” Carter said in a statement.
Carter further added “Working alongside our Afghan partners, we will continue to make it clear that there is no safe haven for terrorists in Afghanistan.”
In a counterterrorism operation targeting al-Qaida operatives, the partnered team freed Ali Haider Gilani, the son of former Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who had been held hostage since he was kidnapped three years ago in Pakistan, Carter added.
he said “We will work with the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan to return him home safely after he receives a medical evaluation.”
Ali Haidar was kidnapped by gunmen during an attack in Farrkhabad, near the Matital Road in Multan, in May 2013.
His two associates were killed during the kidnapping which took place on 9th May as he was contesting for the general election from PPP-200 constituency in Multan., according to the reports.
The family of Gilani is reported to be one of the most powerful in the central town of Multan and a key clan in the PPP, whose campaign for re-election had been dramatically curtailed by Tehrik-i-Taliban threats at the time. -KP
THE PASHTUN TIMES
