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Pakistani Military Vulnerable to Extremist Infiltration, Experts Warn

Niala Mohammad

   A recent publication by an al-Qaida militant group about a retired
   Pakistani three-star general joining its ranks has renewed debate about
   the influence of Islamist militants in the country's military.

   Nawa-e-Afghan Jihad, the al-Qaida Indiansubcontinent branch, in its
   mid-February Urdu language magazine announced that retired Lieutenant
   General Shahid Aziz had entered "the righteous path" by joining the
   group. It claimed Aziz hadpledged allegiance to the group as early as
   2015 after being contacted by the group's leader,HafizTayabNawaz.

   "You understood the invitation of truth, proclaimed your service to God
   and joined us in the cause ofjihad," the group said.

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