LAHORE:
The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is planning attacks on the Pakistan Air Force Base and other military and security establishments in Lahore before Eid, according to intelligence reports received by the Home Department.
The intelligence reports, which have been forwarded to the inspector general of Punjab Police and other officials concerned, stated that at least two TTP teams had made arrangements for attacks in revenge for the killing of Ghaffar Qaiserani alias Saifullah, an alleged TTP leader, in a shootout with the police at Dera Ghazi Khan on August 1.
According to one report, members of the Qari Yasin Group, initially a part of the Harkatul Mujahideen, which started in the Punjab and was later based in Miranshah in North Waziristan, were planning to attack the PAF base and installations near the PAF Market on Ramazan 27 or 28 (August 21 or 22).
Another stated that a team led by Qari Aslam alias Ustad of the Moavia Group, also based in Miranshah, was also planning terrorist attacks towards the end of Ramazan. Their main target was likely to be the PAF base, or other security establishments like the offices of the Inter Service Intelligence (ISI), Military Intelligence (MI), Intelligence Bureau or Counter Terrorism Department. Reconnaissance of the targets has already been done, the report states.
It stated that the plots had been financed by the kidnapping of some doctors from Taunsa Sharif, Dera Ghazi Khan, which had netted Rs2.5 million in ransom, enough to buy a black Honda City car, weapons, explosives and four suicide vests. The car has been rigged with explosives and is being kept at an unknown location in Kabirwala tehsil, Khanewal district, stated the report. The group had also selected targets for assassinations and kidnapping in the Punjab as well, it added.
The intelligence reports stated that the Badami Bagh fruit market blasts on August 1 and an IED blast in an Elite Force vehicle on August 2 were carried out by the TTP in revenge for the killing of Qaiserani. Further retaliatory attacks on public places and government establishments were possible, the reports stated.
Another report revealed a plot to blow up an oil tanker along the route used to supply NATO forces in Afghanistan. It stated that an IED had been found on an oil tanker at Taheemabad on the Layyah-Kot Addu Road, in the jurisdiction of Kot Sultan police station, on August 7. The driver noticed the device placed above the tyres and alerted local authorities. Police and civil defence officials defused the device before it exploded
The reports have been forwarded to the capital city police officer and the provincial heads of the intelligence agencies. A circular issued by the Home Department to law enforcement agencies reads:
“Security arrangements at establishments of LEAs [law enforcement agencies] and vulnerable public places need to be beefed up. The present situation warrants close coordination among all the intelligence agencies for sharing information and helping in nabbing the terrorists before they succeed in their nefarious designs. It is required that preventive measures be adopted.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 10th, 2012.
COMMENTS (43)
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@US CENTCOM: "The Next 100 Years" Please go through this book and just think again before YOU throw YOUR accusations around.
Only one benefit of intelligence report at Kamra attack that JF Thunders were shifted in the Hangers Soon after the Attack........ what a strategy
U did the right thing as a Journalist to report this intelligence report but still attackers managed to enter the base... How and why???
According to the slain journalist, Syed Saleem Shahzad, this is status queue for the TTP to start an indo-Pak war to facilitate their ideology of an 'end of times' war where they think the Muslim Caliphate will rise.
US Centcom analysis was spot on and so was the report.
@Zabandraz: What a prophetic statement.
@ Zulu...Truth detctor, Seikh.......Haaaa... Now do you still have to say..."There is an Indian, Israeli..Amrikan Hand in it"........What a joke.Pakistan Defence guys make of themselves....and proud Pakistanis still have to blame others for it...
This is what intelligence agencies do. They warn you in advance of the attacks being planned by terrorists. They implant their "sources" into the terrorist networks for the purpose of gathering valuable intelligence. Intelligence community performed their duty by conveying the intelligence, the problem is with our preparedness and the intense division of national opinion on the war against terrorism. I 100% agree with US Centcom for their views on terrorist attacks in Pakistan.
Men of word
@Truth Detector: Did you detect the truth today?
Is there any Home Department in Pakistan?
Dear Asad Kharal, you were so precise in reporting, really appreciated. For those who are losing trust in armed forces, please do not undermine the sacrifices of your country, just see for yourself, PAF is, PAF was and will remains at high alerts 24 / 7 for 365, thats the reason our brave men have saved a big catastrophe at Kamra. Well done guys, hats off to you
And yes, its strange that for once the report turned out to be true.
@ TightBanian: And it'll be the fundamentalists vs. the liberals.
Tab he batchat ho gae hai, all the JF-17 were removed from there.
oh and what makes u think that they didnt know??? :/
even after having all this intel if our security forces still can not protect our military assets(Kamra Airbase attack) than why are we spending 6.41 billion dollars on these forces. I will never criticise the actual boots on the ground, these brave souls do every thing humanly possible to protect this nation in such impossible circumstances with possibly the most archaic military equipment for a force dealing with such extreme challenges, but i do however question our military leaders what the heck are they good for if the can not derive a strategy that actually deals with core issues or possibly people behind these attacks.
Unfortunately aj hogaya
Well Well Well..... Maza Agyaa! Really!!
Inteligence agencies please protect our country. We are losing trust in you. WTH!
So this report turned out to be truth.
And here's the live show right now ;/
Sadest that our countries authority couldn't take any action on it.
As we see, all of these animals are living in N Waziristan. so the only logical way to cut off their activities is to launch an operation like the one in Swat.
I am saying it again: The TTP are only coming over for a brotherly Iftar party. Nothing more.
@Ijaaz:
"and how come they are able to keep attracting ‘talent’ all the time? Its high time pakistan overhauls the educational system, eradicates the extremist attitudes amongst the masses (easier said than done, altho starting with the clergy and televangelists and defence analyists i.e. telling them to chill a bit..and actually think would be a first step)"
You are omitting the real FIRST STEP that is needed to rid Pak of radicalism. That step is for the the Deep State Pak establishment to give up it policy of creating, nurturing, training, arming and motivating terrorist proxy groups to be used as foreign policy tools against India and Afghanistan. The terrorist epidemic you witness in Pakistan today is a direct outcome of this Establishment policy of using terrorism as proxy warriors against neighbors. Without that first step, the terrorist will continue to find succor and support.
Chickens have come home.....welcome them!!! Cheers!!!
world is in danger as these terrorists are going to attack their military headquarters and nuclear weapon sites.
The true face of Indian character comes out with the negative and venomous comments left on this site. Nag, the snake god, drives the mind of the cowardly, hidden behind the safety of cyberspace, idol-worshipping, dudes. Their country India is in danger of falling apart from the Bodoland and KLF freedom movements. It can hardly provide basic human needs, food, clothing, and shelter to over 500-700 million people. The bubble of 7-8 percent growth has burst. Now, comes the crunch time, when the long suffering poor masses are going to demand for their share of "shining" India. But, it is interesting that Hindus and not Sikhs, prowl Pakistani websites to fulfill their sado-masochistic needs to be bashed. In the next decade, Indian Union will splinter into 5 pieces, as most of less powerful provinces feel disfranchised. The influx of NRI and H-1 from US is another disaster waiting to happen. The Sikhs in the Indian Army are also fed-up with lack of promotions (except token general or two) and the Khalistan movement is very much alive and well. So, Indians are people living a in a glass house, they should not throw stones. Indian Union is falling apart, the Gurkhas are feeling this pain most of all. Long Live Gurkha Unity and Bodo Freedom.
@Aslam: Taliban has attacked and threatened media-related businesses. I don't mean media such as the press, though I know they've gotten some threats themselves. Media as in entertainment, like cinema. Also you already have answers to who, why and how. You guys just refuse to acknowledge the statements every single time and instead go the "Malik way" of headache creating, off the wall conspiracy reasoning.
Time and again conspiracy theorists have been proven wrong with direct statements from the terrorist’s spokespersons and many times with video evidence of their various attacks and atrocities. Some still would not refrain to put forth their conspiracies. One of the main purposes of the terrorist groups is to destabilize Pakistan. In the last few years we have seen the attacks on the GHQ in Rawalpindi, the Mehran Airbase in Karachi and not to mention attacks on mosques full of worshippers and shrines full of devotees. After every attack we have seen the group behind them boldly claim responsibility. Our request to the readers is that by indulging in conspiracies theories you not only give credence to the terrorists, but you also belittle the innocents who die in these attacks … so just think again before you throw your accusations around.
Capt. Joseph Kreidel DET-United States Central Command www.centcom.mil/ur
Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind.
We never heard Taliban attacked cinemas. They only attack Mosques and religious places. On the other hand they claim to bring Sharia in the country. Is it not a clear contradiction? Our government need to find the enemy first. Are they the Taliban trying to enforce Sharia law in Pakistan or somebody else with their ulterior motives. First of all we have to know who is our enemy and why they are doing it. A complete strategy is needed to tackle this rampant extremism. A credible government with the backing of common people can solve this grave issue in a better way. Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif can come out with the better results instead of foolishly blaming each other.
Do you thing the TTP would stand for such niceties as having enough money to buy a car? They would simply shoot the driver and commandeer the car. Round up all the mullahs in a preemptive strike and if a few are killed in the process so much the better.
All military installments needs to go on high alert, and must avoid another Mehran like disaster.
I pray our army personal and the innocent people in cant remain same, one thing i am concerned at that a report of this confidentiality is in public (even with color and model of car). It seems to be some REHMAN MALIK STUNT :D
@TightBanian: If you connect the dots......u will realize that you are living in cuckoo land......
Is this leak to media by design or being macho? Such intel reports should be dealt and actioned by the concerned authorities before they go to public!
Keep dreaming!
Another Indian daydream! Dream on !
And what are our agencies doing about it or is it going to be another Mehran Base Surprise????
There might be a civil war brewing in Pakistan if one connects the dots.
It does nto surprise me that anti state criminals would want to attack Pakistanis in amadan to please their foreign masters. I am waiting to see when the military starts moving bases and installations outside of civilian areas so they are easier to protect from these cowards.