Islamabad, Jan 19: Al Qaeda is leant to have called upon its followers to launch fresh attacks on Pakistani forces, saying that "holy war" was compulsory in Pakistan as it was in Afghanistan.

In a video message released yesterday, two major Al Qaeda operatives in Pakistan’s Tribal Areas appealed to Qaeda followers to seize control of Islamabad.

"Jihad is compulsory in Pakistan as it is compulsory in Afghanistan," the Daily Times quoted the chief of the Islamic movement of Uzbekistan and Uzbek militants in North Waziristan, Qadri Tahir Yaldeshiv as saying.

He also urged Muslims to avenge the Lal Masjid operation in July 2007 that left more than 100 militants and hardcore madrassa students dead, the paper quoted the German news agency Adnkronos International as reporting.

Yaldshiv also talked about the need for strict Sharia law in Pakistan. "Pakistan came into being in the name of Islam, therefore Islam should be enforced in the country," said the Qadri.

According to the report, the Uzbek commander is not popular among pro-Taliban militants in North Waziristan. (ANI)