Via DailyTimes.com.pk (Pakistan - Aug 25, 2010) -
Al Qaeda is gradually shifting its base from the unsafe and spy-infested tribal belt of Pakistan – which is under the radars of virtually all intelligence agencies – to more secure, urban areas of the country, which according to a Western diplomat, are "immune to drones", Daily Times has learned.
The drones had been so central to the current administration’s strategy that Obama has doubled the frequency of drone attacks in Pakistan, inflicting maximum damage to al Qaeda in the last two years.
[...]
At least from 2001 to 2008, al Qaeda had been operating in FATA with near impunity, Daily Times confirmed, "but they are on the move, communicating via couriers and moving stealthily in small groups to urban areas", a former Western intelligence official confirmed. When asked about which urban areas is al Qaeda migrating to, the unanimous response from all quarters was, "Karachi".
In-depth investigations by Daily Times also confirm the presence of senior Qaeda members and the top leadership of the Afghan Taliban – Quetta shura members – at various safe houses located in the outskirts of Karachi.
Jandullah, another name and faction of the Laskhkar-e-Jhangvi and which has struck a strong relationship with al Qaeda and the TTP, is responsible for the security of al Qaeda members.
A former Western spy-master commented, "We understand that the Quetta shura is actually the 'Karachi shura' and is given safe houses by Pakistanis, but there’s no doubt in DC that the Pakistanis will go after al Qaeda, common enemies you see."
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Hat-tip to WorldAnalysis.net for the story.
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