In a significant development, Pakistani authorities have arrested an army officer, Major Adil Qudoos, for his links with Al Qaeda operative Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

The major, believed to be the uncle of Ahmed Qudoos, who was arrested along with the Kuwait-born Sheikh Mohammed, was detained at his cantonment residence in Kohat, a town in the North West Frontier Province, during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, the Dawn daily quoted official as saying.

"Only Pakistani agencies were involved in the operation and the major has been detained to confirm whether he has links with his nephew or Khalid Sheikh Mohammed," the officials said.

Sheikh Mohammed was arrested in Rawalpindi from the residence of a Jamat-e-Islami leader.

Soon after their arrest, a group of Pakistani military officials went to the house of the major, who belonged to the 45 Signals regiment, and carried out a search.

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