AP, 6 May 2010: The search for links between the suspected Times Square bomber and various Islamic militant groups in Pakistan led investigators to the sprawling, marble-floored Bathha Mosque and religious school in a northern suburb of Karachi. U.S. and Pakistani authorities are trying to trace the movements of the suspect, Faisal Shahzad, during his recent five-month stay in Pakistan. They are seeking to establish whether he connected with any of the myriad Islamic terrorist groups and received instructions, funding or training. . . .

. . . . Early morning prayers had just finished on Tuesday when authorities detained Mohammed Rehan as he left the Bathha Mosque. The compound — surrounded by 10-foot walls concealing a multistoried madrassa — is run by the Islamist militant group, Jaish-e-Mohammed, which is affiliated with al-Qaida. . . .

. . . . Another extremist group, the Pakistan Taliban, said Thursday it had no links with Shahzad and learned only through the media that he had told U.S. authorities of his training in a militant camp in Waziristan. “We do not know about that,” said Pakistani Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq, speaking by telephone to the AP from an undisclosed location. The group has previously claimed responsibility for Saturday’s failed attack in a video released Monday before Shahzad’s arrest.

“We have nothing to do with his activities in previous days in America. We have no relation with Faisal. However, he is our Muslim brother,” Tariq said. “Such attacks are welcome and we feel proud of Faisal. He did a brave job,” Tariq added. . . . .