Targeting militants: Army authorised to take action

Premier expresses dismay over lack of preemptive measures to thwart Karachi attack.

ISLAMABAD:

A high-level meeting on the internal security situation in the country on Tuesday authorised the Army to carry out ‘appropriate action’ against terrorist hideouts following the recent spate of attacks - including the audacious assault at the Karachi airport.

The meeting, which was held against the backdrop of precarious security situation in the country was presided by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and attended by Army Chief General Raheel Sharif as well as Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

Chief of General Staff Lt. General Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmad and head of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) counter-intelligence Major General Nasir Dilawar Shah were also present during the huddle, which lasted over three hours.

Interestingly, Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lt. General Zaheerul Islam, who regularly appears at such meetings, was not present. Sources familiar with the development said that the spy chief was out of station.

A brief statement issued by the prime minister’s office said that the law and order situation in the country was reviewed during the meeting. “Matters relating to Internal and regional security including FATA, Karachi and Baluchistan were discussed,” it added.

However, an official familiar with the closed-door discussions told The Express Tribune that participants of the meeting acknowledged the fact that prospects of a peace deal with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were all but over following Sunday’s brazen attack that left dozens dead in Karachi.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official told The Express Tribune that  several options including launching an all-out offensive against militant hideouts in the North Waziristan Agency (NWA) were discussed.

The official revealed that final decision on the course of action against the militants would be taken after all stakeholders – including political leadership – are taken into confidence.

However, in an effort to counter the immediate threat of terrorism, the Army was given a go-ahead to use ‘whatever means at their disposal to preempt further attacks,” the official disclosed.

A senior security official said the Army leadership was very clear in its approach that “we should not be apologetic in front of these terrorists who have declared an open war against us.”

During the marathon meeting, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar gave a detailed briefing on the attack at Karachi Airport.

According to sources, the premier expressed his dismay over the lack of preemptive measures despite prior intelligence about the possible terrorist attacks at Karachi’s busiest air hub. Subsequently, security arrangements at all key government installations including airports were also reviewed.


Published in The Express Tribune, June 11^th, 2014.