American claiming to be hunting bin Laden arrested

[chitown]

American claiming to be hunting bin Laden arrested - Yahoo! News

Pakistan – An American armed with a pistol and a 40-inch (102-centimeter) sword was detained in northern Pakistan and told investigators he was on a solo mission to kill Osama bin Laden, a police officer said Tuesday. The man, identified as 52-year-old Californian construction worker Gary Brooks Faulkner, said he wanted to cross over into the nearby Afghan province of Nuristan because he had "heard bin Laden was living there", according to officer Mumtaz Ahmad Khan.
Khan also said the man has a small amount of hashish in his possession.
Faulkner was picked up in a forest in the Chitral region late on Sunday, he said.
"We initially laughed when he told us that he wanted to kill Osama Laden," said Khan. But he said when officers seized the pistol, the sword, a dagger and night-vision equipment, "our suspicion grew."
He was questioned Tuesday by intelligence officials in Peshawar, the main northwestern city.
Faulkner told police he visited Pakistan seven times, and this was his third trip to Chitral, which is a mountainous region that attracts adventurous Western tourists and hikers. Unlike much of northwestern Pakistan, it is considered relatively safe for foreigners.
Chitral and Nuristan are among several rumored hiding places for the al-Qaida leader, who has evaded a massive U.S. effort to capture him since 2001. The focus of that hunt has been along the [Afghan-Pakistan border.
Bin Laden is accused of being behind the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States, as well other terrorist acts. Washington has offered a bounty of $25 million for information leading to his capture.
Khan said Faulkner was also carrying a book containing Christian verses and teachings.
When asked why he thought he had a chance of tracing bin Laden, Faulkner replied, "God is with me, and I am confident I will be successful in killing him," said Khan.
Faulkner arrived in the Chitrali town of Bumburate on June 3 and stayed in a hotel there.
He was assigned a police guard, as is quite common for foreigners visiting remote parts of Pakistan. When he checked out without informing police, officers began hunting for him, said Khan.
U.S. Embassy spokesman Richard Snelsire said the mission had received notification from Pakistani officials that an American citizen had been arrested. He said embassy officials were trying to meet the man and confirm his identity.

[Boon Mee]

If Chuck Norris had gone to get Osama, the deed would have been done long ago.

[StrontiumDog]

Really, let the guy get on with it...he has about as much chance as anyone else.

[biggrtiggr]

So the mossies don't have a monoply on crazy religious fundamentalists??

[tuktukdriver]

"California construction worker"

Well, he doesn't have much else to do.

I wish him luck. At least someone is still looking for him.

[the dogcatcher]

Good luck to him.
Equipe him properly, ie M16 etc and send him on his way.
Actually not a bad tour package idea.
Stuff hunting deer, hunting terrorists, much more fun.

[ossierob]

haha yes a good package deal.....name your own price for the scalp if you succeed

[the dogcatcher]

Hadn't even considered the bounty implecations.

[chitown]

"California construction worker"

Well, he doesn't have much else to do.

I have plenty of friends that work construction that are staying very busy.

[Nawty]

Apparently Steven Segal has mounted a search for him also in an attempt to give his career a little push along.

[FailSafe]

The reward now is what, $25,000,000 (and that's just for information leading to his capture)? That's a nice little incentive to go on an adventure.

[machangezi]

The yank army fired 72 cruise missiles, each worth $750000, but couldn't get him. Fingers crossed, this pot head might make them proud. 'Sarcastic smily'?

[The Fresh Prince]

The man, identified as 52-year-old Californian construction worker Gary Brooks Faulkner

That was nice of them to print his name and where to look for him.

[Mr R Sole]

A small amount of Hashish in his possesion....Now in the mountain regions of Pakistan is a small amount of Hash deemed as 10-20 tons????? ..



Yep, sir'ee bob...just a small amount.....hang on isn't he about the same age as this man....