Post naval base attack: Security forces pull up their socks

LAHORE: For the first time ever in Pakistan, the Lahore Police, Pakistan Rangers and the Army have decided to hold joint counter terrorism exercises.

A high-level meeting was held at the Capital City Police office today which was attended by top officials from several law enforcement agencies.

The participants shared their views and suggestions about the present security situation, particularly post Karachi Naval Base attack.

Improving overall defence

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani chaired a meeting of the Defence Cabinet Committee (DCC) on Wednesday to assess the overall security situation in the country.

Sources said the DCC meeting was attended by the services and intelligence chiefs as well as defence, interior, finance and information ministers.

At the commencement of the meeting on Wednesday, Interior Minister Rehman Malik briefed the members present on the preliminary report of the PNS Mehran base attack.

Sources present at the meeting said that Prime Minister Gilani was concerned about the security lapse at the base and its vehement denial by the security agencies, in particular by the PR Directors of Navy and Airforce.

Gilani directed Malik to conduct a detailed inquiry on the PNS Mehran attack.

The PM was forthcoming on the purpose of the meeting which was to discuss the PNS Mehran attack and ordered all the security/intelligence agencies as well as the three chiefs of the armed forces to brief him on how the militants were able to carry out such raids on military installations in recent years.

Gilani discussed national security issues with the generals present, including DG ISI Pasha. The generals in turn briefed the PM and others present on the security measures taken to safeguard sensitive military installations across the country.

The navy chief is yet to present his detailed report on the PNS Mehran attack, since the navy has formulated a special committee headed by a rear admiral to probe into the security lapse on May 22 .

The PM also reviewed the lapse on the opposite side of the railway track running alongside the base.

Gilani said the PNS Mehran inquiry report will be made public.

The US raid of May 2 will be discussed as well during the meeting.