(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/130318-pearl-vmed-135p.380;380;7;70;0.jpg)APQari Abdul Hayee, who was wanted in numerous attacks in Pakistan, was also connected to the 2002 abduction and beheading of U.S. journalist Daniel Pearl, pictured, according to Pakistani authorities.By M. Alex Johnson, staff writer, NBC NewsThe Pakistani military has captured a former senior leader of the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, who authorities said was linked to the brutal murder of U.S. journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002, Pakistani news agencies reported Monday.
Qari Abdul Hayee, also known as Asadullah, was seized Sunday by Pakistani army Rangers during a raid in Karachi, the capital, Pakistan Today (http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/03/18/news/national/one-of-daniel-pearls-murderers-held-in-pakistan/) and the Express Tribune (http://tribune.com.pk/story/522223/rangers-arrest-lej-leader-involved-in-danial-pearl-murder/) reported.
NBC News has not independently confirmed the reports.
The British-born Hayee was wanted in several attacks attributed to Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, which has vowed to exterminate all Shiite Muslims. A car bomb explosion March 3 killed at least 48 people and wounded 150 others in a Shiite neighborhood of Karachi, while a bomb blast targeting Shiites in Quetta killed at least 90 people on Feb. 16.
Follow @NBCNewsWorld (https://twitter.com/NBCNewsWorld) Pakistan-based news agencies quoted government and military spokesmen as saying Hayee was also connected to the abduction and beheading of Pearl in January 2002. Pearl, 38, was South Asia bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal and was researching a story about Islamist militants.
Pearl's parents, Judea and Ruth Pearl, said in a statement Monday: "We are gratified with this latest arrest and hope that justice will be served in a timely manner on all of those who were involved in the abduction and murder of our son, Danny."
The Hindustan Times (http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Pakistan/Top-LeJ-commander-held-in-Pak/Article1-1027865.aspx) and Express Tribune both quoted military spokesmen as saying Hayee was being held in an undisclosed location for interrogation.
Follow M. Alex Johnson on Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/MAlexJohnson) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/MAlexJohnsonNBC).
Watch World News videos on NBCNews.com (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/21426473)
This story was originally published on Mon Mar 18, 2013 5:11 PM EDT
NBC News