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Pre-empt 20 planned terror attacks, agencies told
At least 20 more terrorist attacks are expected in the country and police and law enforcement agencies have been directed to stay alert to pre-empt them, a meeting of the Interior Ministry was told on Monday. Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao chaired the meeting.According to a statement issued after the meeting, the meeting reviewed the overall law and order in the country. The meeting was told that terrorists might attack 20 different places after an aborted attempt in Cheechawatni. Sherpao directed the Punjab inspector general of police (IGP) to investigate the matter. Intelligence agencies have already reported that there are groups of suicide attackers hiding in the country. The Punjab IGP told the meeting that a large number of Punjab police had been engaged in Islamabad to protect sensitive locations and the department was now short of manpower. The minister called for utilisation of the Rangers and other paramilitary forces to protect the province. The meeting was told that the mastermind behind the Cheechawatni blast was in Punjab and he had planned more bombings in many places. The proposed formation of a Pak-India Joint Investigation Commission to deal with terrorists was also discussed in the meeting. The joint investigation commission would be helpful in the investigation of the Samjhota Express tragedy. Security threats caused by the recent spate of suicide attacks by religious extremists were also discussed in the meeting. The participants pressed for the arrest of the terrorists still at large. The statement said that Sherpao directed the authorities to devise a comprehensive strategy to deal with terrorism. Law enforcement agencies were praised for their security arrangements during Muharram. Posted by: Fred 2007-02-27 |
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