Pakistani scientist indicted on murder charges in US

A US court has announced the indictment of Pakistani-born, US-educated scientist Aafia Siddiqui, 36, for allegedly attacking US agents who went to interrogate her after she was arrested by local police in Afghanistan.

US officials have privately described her as a "treasure trove" of information on the al-Qaida terror network.

Siddiqui faces one count of attempting to kill US nationals abroad; one count of attempting to kill US officers and employees; one of armed assault of US officers and employees; one of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and three counts of assault of US officers and employees.

"If convicted, Siddiqui faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on each of the attempted murder and armed assault charges; life in prison on the firearm charge; and eight years in prison on each of the remaining assault charges," the statement read on Monday.

Siddiqui was arrested in the central Afghan town of Ghazni on July 17 by Afghan police who said they believed she had been planning a suicide attack.

According to a statement from the US Attorney for Southern District of New York, a team of US military and law enforcement officers attempted to interview Siddiqui the next day at the Afghan police compound in Ghazni.

"In a second-floor meeting room at the compound -- where Siddiqui was being held, unbeknownst to the United States interview team, unsecured, behind a curtain - (she) obtained one of the (US) Army officer's M-4 rifle" and fired it at members of the US interrogators, the statement read.