Uzbek militant 'behind Pakistan attacks'

The military commander in South Waziristan, Safdar Hussain, said three suspected militants from Central Asia had confessed under interrogation to having received orders from the leader of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Tahir Yuldash.

The general accused Mr Yuldash of financing and masterminding what he called terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

Pakistani forces have been conducting major operations in Waziristan against suspected Taleban and al-Qaeda fighters.

General Safdar also accused al-Qaeda of using children to carry out militant activities in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.

He said most of those arrested in the area were teenagers.