The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)’s Punjab faction has already held rehearsals to target a nuclear site in DG Khan, revealed an intelligence report.
The faction was identified as the key culprit in the report. The report also dispelled the notion that terrorists have completed reconnaissance and have succeeded in getting a video footage of the installation in DG Khan.
Most of the reconnaissance was carried out by a Punjabi Taliban group led by Asmatullah Moavia.
Moavia’s group will be abetted by TTP commanders Ghulam Rabbani and Qari Kamran for the attack.
The report also revealed that terrorists had already rehearsed the attack by having frequented their planned route to the nuclear facility.
Circular issued
On the basis of this intelligence report, a circular had been issued by the National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC) and the interior ministry, which was then forwarded to all provincial law enforcement agencies.
Using a code word to refer to the nuclear installation, the circular directed close coordination between all law enforcement agencies and foolproof security measures to thwart the nefarious terror scheme.
Suicide bombers have been earmarked in this regard, stated the circular.
DPO DG Khan Chaudhry Muhammad Saleem, while talking to The Express Tribune, confirmed the intelligence report as well as the circulars issued by the federal and provincial governments.
Security of sensitive sites was already beefed up after the Kamra airbase attack but on receiving this new threat alert, the security of the DG Khan nuclear facility has been further enhanced, Saleem said.
About eight police pickets have been established around the nuclear sites, besides inner security cardons.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th, 2012.
COMMENTS (35)
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The nuclear bum was to protect us...but we end up protecting the bomb. Allah(swt) is suppose to protect us all..but we end up protecting Allah with blasphemy law. What a country!!!
@M Usama Kabbir: Imran Khan is right to the extent of getting closer to them and to negotiate. But no settlement will be forcoming without accepting their demand for islamic rule in the country. There will be no flexibility on their side. IK should make him prepared before leaving for Taliban land.
There are hide outs and training grounds of TTP criminals in kacha area of DG Khan,Bahawalpur,Rahimyar Khan etc. Police is unwilling to take on these traitors while Punjab Govt. is not willing to call Pak Army as it would destroy the claims of good governance of PML(N). In recent Kamra attacks, all the attackers belonged to Punjab. Its time that all the security agencies wake up to take stock of the situation otherwise these criminals may strike vital installations.If we kept ignoring lurking danger then very soon we shall be watching drones hovering over southern Punjab.
@s shah: You cannot by-pass the core realities by saying "their own version of Islam". Can I ask what is your version? What we see round (media is testimony) is a fast developing culture of mixed gathering in night clubs, a growing tendency of 'dating', a propagation of illicit relations amongst so-called celebrities, etc. All this is finding approval in the name of 'modernism' and advancement of culture. I hate mullahism; civil society like you people should come up to take up the role to combat this menace. If we have to call our country "Islamic Republic" we cannot afford promoting this culture, otherwise there is a chaos ahead, the prelude of which you are witnessing in the form of TTP. They are true to their belief and cause, and are giving their lives for that. We are culprit of having forgotten our aim of creating this country, hence suffering from the consequences. .
Here I remember a statement of one of our prominent political religious leader: Ours and TTP demands and goals are same, but the difference is that former have chosen a path of violence, while we believe in achieving the objective through democratic means.
@Sultan Ahmed: Agree with you. The TTP are home grown monsters who think they are the only true muslims and wish to impose their version of Islam by brute force. The sooner we stop living in denial and wishful thinkful that they are disguised Indians or Americans, the sooner we can start dealing with the TTP.
@A.S.: ET is trying to help innocent people of Pakistan and exposing the dirty face of TTP
i remember Asad Kharal's reports about attack on a base in punjab before kamra attack. Allah save us all
Punjab Police also rehearsed how to arrive at scene of incident and fight the terrorists. Unfortunately second part of rehearsal was not accomplished, because when Police arrived on scene after eleven hours, the terrorists had already gone.
Punjab Govt not doing any Madrassa Reforms. It is fault lies by Punjab Government
Let's give our strategic assets to our all weather friend China for safe keeping till such time we tide over the current crisis. The audacious attacks by TTP in recent times has raised fear that this crazy bearded brigade is capable of causing huge damage to our national interest. If somehow the strategic assets fall in the hand of this crazy lot, we will sure be returned to stone age as Richard Armitage warned our last dictator!
All the sympathies for innocent people living in areas controlled by these militants but a state cannot exist without establishing its writ in all its areas .... People saying "Give Peace A Chance" will eventually help those militants
With all it's might if America is unable to win this war by force than I believe there is something serious to learn here.
Pakisstan is now on a 'defensive war' with TTP. Sooner you accept, better is it. Who is now going to yield, is a question one has to answer if one is prudent and wise enough. Of course, bloggers here are certainly not capable.
Jamat e islami should think about it's position
@M Usama Kabbir: Dear Usama, You actually dint get the Idea of Imran Khan. IK has repeatedly said that we will differentiate the terrorists from Qabailies through negociation with Qabailies and taking them at our side. Then these qabailies will well be able to take care of few terrorists themselves. Getting out of American war means to win the Qabailies confidence that they are fighting for Pakistan against insurgents, not for America. (as currently we are being paid by America for their dirty job)
And one more thing, these TTP terrorists are being backed by NATO and CIA. Remember its SC said that more that 11,000 NATO containers has been lost in Pakistan and no one knows where they are. When recently NATO supplies were cut there was sharp decline in terrorist attacks.
Point is, that one must see all the whole situation simultaneously. Taking things in isolation will never let you get the true picture anyway.
@M Usama Kabbir: is this not what we been doing for last 8 years? may be try a different method?
Talib Imran Khan taking the opening ceremony Nato funded road D.I Khan to Wana why he using this route? Bannu route is shortest one for Shumali Waziristan
@binary-zero: I dunno. Might act as deterrent. I would assume this was revealed or leaked to the press in a calculated move.
'Times of India' type reporting in which stories from unknown and unreliable sources instantly make it to the headlines.
@A.S.: @binary-zero: how's ET helping criminals? The news comes as a cautionary advice about some imminent danger. Local people should/would be more careful and report any suspicious activity they witness in and around the city of DGK.
It appears that this story is being reported by ET only. Haven't seen it on other newspaper websites.... Don't know how much truth is there in it..... But in any case it would help those who claim Pakistan's Nukes aren't safe.
@M Usama Kabbir: Imran Khan is living in a dreamland of his own who keeps coming up with his utopian plans and statements which are far from reality and also the same cannot be achieved. However, best of luck to him to turn the impossible to possible.
Not all, but Media, Mobile communication and Judiciary are the three important vehicles of Talibans strengths.
Pakistan does not require nuclear arsenal since India is a responsible country who has declared and affirmed to Pakistan that it would never ever indulge in its first usage. In fitness of the things, Pakistan should transfer the whole arsenal barring a few to serve as a deterrent to another country, either China or Turkey. Presently, Pakistan might be spending millions on its security but still can't be sure of its safety against a determined TTP attack assisted by some brainwashed security personnel guarding the nuclear installations.
in a normal country this news item would appear after all the culprits in this scheme were apprehended by the law enforcement agencies. we have their names we know about their coordination teams we know about them having a video of the installation and what are we doing issuing circulars and increasing security of the site (which should in even normal circumstances be the most secure place on the face of earth) rather than going all guns blazing with every agency we have to nab them. its a nuclear facility for God sake show some urgency.
Aren't you not helping them by publishing these stories ?
Proves the long standing notion that they had been created by external powers sitiing on both sidesof border to form the grounds of denuclearizing pakistan. Spent 5 years bombing muslims and now will attack nuclear facilities with foreign backing to create the atmosphere needed.
If there are reports, then why don't military launch an operation in hid outs in Punjab and throw them to desert so they can have their fate....
In fact better punishment for radicals....
One of the most sensitive site at the moment in Pakistan is Rimsha's home where she was taken to jail from.
Doesnt make sense on why the TTP should attack the nuclear sites? Seems like somone is trying to increase pressure on Pakistan by quoting such statements.
Who are you trying to help, ET?