June 11, 2002	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 29, 1423

WASHINGTON, June 10: An American Al Qaeda operative was undertaking reconnaissance for a radiological dirty bomb attack when captured and had not yet decided on his target, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said on Monday.

“He researched nuclear weapons and received training in wiring explosives while in Pakistan and he was instructed to return to the United States to conduct reconnaissance operations for al Qaeda,” Wolfowitz told a news conference at the Justice Department.

Earlier on Monday the department announced the capture of Abdullah al Muhajir, also known as Jose Padilla, who was detained more than a month ago, on May 8, after flying into the Chicago O’Hare International Airport from Pakistan.—Reuters