Pak-origin suspect being tracked for 7/7 bombing link

LONDON: A Pakistani-origin British national is being kept under surveillance by the Scotland Yard and has been questioned in connection with the terrorist attack in London last July which led to the death of 52 people.

Senior officers who have spent the past year investigating the case believe the Briton, enlisted by Mohammed Sidique Khan to take part in the terrorist attack, was one of the original group of militant Muslims approached to join the cell.

He visited Pakistan about the same time as Khan and his fellow bomber Shehzad Tanweer, between November 2004 and February last year, and is understood to have attended a jihadi training camp, where al-Qaeda teaches volunteers to handle explosives.

According to sources, Hasib Hussain (18) replaced him at late notice. Some officers believe that this is one of the reasons why only three of the bombers-- Khan, Tanweer and Jermaine Lindsay-- made a detailed reconnaissance trip to London on June 28 last year.

The man, who has an address in Leeds, is believed to have been a member of Khan's inner circle, which met at Hamara youth club, in Beeston area of Leeds, and the Iqra radical bookshop.

Others in Khan's circle, which included a former Royal Marine commando who converted to Islam and a number of graduates, have also been questioned. Police said these other men were not connected to the July 7 plot.