TASHKENT, March 23: Uzbekistan has asked Pakistan to extradite a number of suspected Al-Qaeda fighters of Uzbek origin captured during recent fighting in Wana, Uzbek President Islam Karimov said on Tuesday.

"I have expressed Uzbekistan's desire to extradite all Uzbek citizens or former Uzbek citizens captured in Pakistan," Karimov said. "The whole operation in Pakistan has been successful and I hope that the Pakistani side will understand Uzbekistan's wishes," Karimov told journalists.

A large number of citizens of Uzbekistan are thought to be among 100 suspected Al-Qaeda fighters captured in Wana. -AFP