A computer expert, captured in Pakistan last month, was one of the al-Qaeda terrorist network's top planners and he had plotted to attack London's Heathrow airport, said a Pakistani security official.

Mohammad Naeem Noor Khan, 25, alias Abu Talha, arrested in eastern Pakistani city of Lahore on July 12, "is in the top hierarchy of al-Qaeda's external operations wing," the official

was quoted by English-language newspaper The News as saying on condition of anonymity.

The suspect had created websites and secret email codes for al-Qaeda operatives to communicate with each other, said the official, adding that he had also been actively plotting attacks.

"He was involved in planning for attacks at London Heathrow airport some time ago and was wanted by US government," the official said.

The US authorities had offered a reward up to 5 million US dollars for his capture, he added.

Source: Xinhua