Says operation against militants in South Waziristan imminent
Monday, October 12, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said Hakeemullah Mehsud, Qari Zain and other terrorists are the enemies of the State.
Talking to a private TV channel, Malik said the terrorists plot was prepared outside the country. Terrorists are mercenaries and receive arms from Afghanistan. These attacks are meant to destabilise the country, he said.
Malik said the terrorists used sophisticated weapons, which could not be obtained by any individual easily. The entire supply was coming from Afghanistan and Pakistan had protested to the government of Afghanistan in this regard, he added.
The minister said the attack on the GHQ was not a security lapse. Such incidents happen in the history of nations, but it does not mean that we should lose heart. He said 56 suspected terrorists had been arrested from Islamabad and the adjoining areas.
Meanwhile, talking to reporters, he said a long-planned operation against the militants in South Waziristan was imminent after the attack on the GHQ.
It has been decided, the civilian leadership has decided the operation is imminent, he added.
He said Taliban and al-Qaeda were suspected to be behind the Saturdays attack on the GHQ.
The man who has been arrested, his name is Usman. Hes a TTP (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan) guy, but we have some indications hes also from al-Qaeda, Malik said.
Meanwhile, talking to another TV channel, Rehman Malik congratulated the nation on the successful completion of the Operation Clearance against terrorists at the GHQ.
He lauded the performance of the Special Services Group for conducting the successful operation in a professional way.
He said the commandos first killed a terrorist wearing a suicide jacket, who had held hostage security personnel in a room.
The minister said eight terrorists were killed by security forces in the operation.
Responding to a question, he said the TTP was being supported by al-Qaeda and other terrorist outfits. These all forces want to destabilise Pakistan, he said.
Security forces and intelligence agencies were fully alert and committed to eliminating terrorists, he added.
Replying to a question, he said the terrorists had selected the GHQ for carrying out the attack to get publicity.
He urged the people to inform law-enforcement agencies if they found any suspicious activity in their surroundings.
He asked house owners to avoid giving their houses to any stranger without proper documentation and investigation.
He said the government had no option but to launch an operation against the militants in South Waziristan to bring an end to their activities.
He said all the terrorists activities taking place in the country had links to Waziristan.
He said local tribesmen had requested the government to launch operation against the militants, who were working against the interests of the country.
Malik said the Pakistan Army had defeated the terrorists in the Malakand Division and dismantled their network.
Good for nothing ... double faced pony
