ISLAMABAD: An Indonesian man held in Pakistan and suspected of being a militant involved in the 2002 bombings on Bali could be extradited to Indonesia if his identity is confirmed, Pakistani officials said on Friday.
Pakistani security forces arrested a man they believe to be Umar Patek, Indonesia's most wanted militant, after a shootout a few weeks ago and are waiting for Indonesian officials to come and identify him.
“An Indonesian team is coming. It is expected to be here soon,” a senior intelligence official told Reuters.
“We are going to hand him over to Indonesian authorities. There is no plan to hand him over to the Americans,” he said, without giving further details.
Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tehmina Janjua confirmed the arrest of an Indonesian man and said he could be Patek.
“Consular access will be given to the Indonesian mission and it will be for them to determine exactly who the person is, but, yes, a person has been arrested.”
Security analysts say Patek is one of the few Indonesian militants who would be able to explain to authorities the connections and extent of cooperation between militant groups in Asia.
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