28 arrested over links to GHQ attack

ISLAMABAD: At least 24 suspected persons have been arrested from parts of twin cities while 4 others were held from Lahore in connection with militants’ strike on army GHQ late on Monday night, Geo news quoted sources as reporting.

According to sources, four among arrested persons were members of a family and some others were believed to be Afghan citizens while those arrested from Lahore were reportedly hailing from Mianwhali city in Punjab.

Four of them were identified as Kamran Baloch, Ata Baloch, Imran Baloch and Saeed Baloch, sources said.

Arrested suspects had been residing in a house in Dhodak Awan area, which had been let out to Kamran Baloch, sources added.

GHQ attack planned in SWA: Military spokesman

RAWALPINDI: Director General (DG) ISPR Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas the plot of attacking GHQ was chalked out in South Waziristan while five of the terrorists belonged to the area of Baitullah Mehsud.

Giving briefing to the media here on Monday, DG ISPR said the objective of the militant’s action was to hold senior military officials hostage and get their demands fulfilled. “They gave a list of 100 people, which included names of some very dangerous terrorists, and demanded their release,” he said. 

Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said the apprehended terrorist Aqeel alias Dr. Usman is not in a condition of giving statement.

He said 10 terrorists, clad in military uniform and riding a white car, attacked GHQ on October 10 at 11:30 AM.

Six army personnel were martyred in the incident. 

The security personnel immediately surrounded the GHQ building where 42 people were taken hostage.

DG ISPR said rescue operation ‘Janbaz’ was launched and 30 hostages were rescued in the first phase. But three of them were martyred, he added.

In the second phase Aqeel alias Dr. Usman was apprehended while 9 terrorists were killed in the action.

Those supplying food to the hostages played role of spies, he said. 

The terrorists were wearing suicide jackets and had explosives on them, but they could not detonate them as the commando action was underway at that time, DG ISPR said.

He said the terrorists were well-trained and if the army had not taken a timely action, enormous damage could have been caused. They were in contact with media and South Waziristan.

He said the Army Chief remained constantly updated on the latest situation. 

DG ISPR said a combined investigation of the incident will be undertaken. 

He said there is information about presence of terrorists, linked with banned Jaish-e-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, in Waziristan. There is similar information of a small group of militants present in Southern Punjab, he added.

“The situation is being analyzed and any decision taken will be in the interest of the country and nation,” Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said.

He said Amjad Farooqui group has claimed responsibility of GHQ attack.

Three more GHQ injured commandoes embrace Shahadat

RAWALPINDI: Three more commandoes who sustained injuries during operation against armed militants at GHQ have embraced Shahadat.

According to details released officially, all three Shaheed SSG commandoes were under treatment at CMH Rawalpindi.

GHQ Operation: Army troops once again crush terrorists

RAWALPINDI: Pak Army soldiers have once again defeated the terrorists, as the operation at General Headquarters against the intruding terrorists concluded to its logical end Sunday morning.

The commandos in their successful operation killed eight terrorists and recovered 39 hostages, while their top dog Aqeel alias Dr. Usman was nabbed. Two commandos and three hostages were martyred in the operation.

Following the operation, Army Chief General Ashfaque Perviz Kayani paid a visit to the GHQ. The operation beginning this morning on the whole rescued 25 hostages in the first phase and at the end of the operation five more hostages were recovered, while three hostages and two Pak Army commandos were also martyred. Earlier, SSG commandos had killed four terrorists in successful operation at security building.

The operation for the rescue of hostages taken on Saturday noon was started this morning at 6.00 A.M and SSG commandos with their great expertise successfully completed the operation in merely one hour and, thereafter, a search operation had started.

D.G. ISPR, Major General Athar Abbas told Geo News that 25 hostages were safely freed, while three hostages were martyred by the terrorists’ firing and four terrorists were killed during the operation. The terrorists had taken hostage of 22 security men in a room, where one suicide bomber was guarding them. The commandos on the intelligence information were tasked to eliminate this suicide bomber in its initial raid in a bid to rescue the hostages safely, which was successfully completed, but in this process three hostages were martyred by terrorists’ firings.

Sources said that the terrorists occupying the building had planted explosives at four places in order to blow it up if anyone tried to enter into the building, but the commandos did enter into the building in blitzing raid with great expertise and took action against the terrorists.

Major General Athar Abbas said that the operation has concluded to its logical end and the situation was completely under control of the forces.

Five terrorists were killed in the Saturday encounter at GHQ check post # 1, while one Brigadier, one Lt. Col. amid five security personnel were martyred. Thus since Saturday noon to Sunday morning at 9.00 A.M on the whole eleven persons were martyred including the eight security personnel. 

Intelligence agencies moved over GHQ onslaught

KARACHI: Following the deadly attack on the army headquarters in Rawalpindi, the intelligence agencies across Sindh province including provincial capital Karachi have become active meanwhile, the suspected activists of banned religious outfits have been enlisted with a view to carry out crack down on them, Geo news reported.

According to police sources, the decision came following the militants’ onslaught on GHQ in Rawalpindi on Saturday while the security in Karachi including across Sindh province has been put on high alert.

Intelligence and security agencies have been dictated to carry out search operations in parts of Karachi including Landhi, Korangi, Malir, Model Colloney, Shah Faisal Conloney, Sherpao Coloney, Future Coloney, Millat Coloney, Manghopir and Orangi Town areas, sources added.

GHQ attack: FIR filed in R.A Bazaar police station

RAWALPINDI: Royal Artillery Bazaar Police Station on Sunday registered a first information report (FIR) against the attack on GHQ nominating Mohammad Aqeel alias Dr Usman as the mastermind of the attack. 

According to police sources, FIR-674 has been filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

Murder, attempt of murder and possession of explosives and illegal arms clauses have been charged in the FIR.

Meanwhile, multi dimensional investigations are underway with the help of the maps and diaries taken into custody the previous day, the sources added.

COAS greeted on successful operation at GHQ

ISLAMABAD: The senior political leadership of the country has felicitated Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and paid rich tributes to Pak Army on frustrating the terrorists by conducting successful operation at GHQ.

According to an official statement, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani telephoned Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and congratulated him on the successful operation and also paid tributes to the entire Army.

They expressed condolence for the troops martyred in the operation.

Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif and Muttahida Qaumi Movement Chief Altaf Hussain also telephoned COAS and greeted him on Pak Army’s triumph.

Governor Punjab Salman Taseer, Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah also felicitated the Army Chief by phone.

25 hostages freed, 4 terrorists killed in successful operation  

RAWALPINDI: Operation against terrorists in GHQ has entered into last stages and 25 hostages have been freed.

According to sources, 25 hostages have been freed, three hostages were martyred and four terrorists were killed after successful operation in GHQ.

According to DG ISPR, Athar Abbas, operation against terrorist was launched early today at 6 am.

“After the successful operation 25 hostages have safely been freed, while four terrorists were killed.”

A terrorist was wearing suicide jacket to blow himself up causing maximum damage in case of operation, Athar Abbas added.

Meanwhile clearance operation in the Head Quarter is continuing.

Operation launched against terrorists: DG ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Operation against terrorists has been launched in GHQ.

According to Geo News, Director General, Inter Services Public Relations (DG-ISPR), Major General Athar Abbas said the operation against the terrorists has properly been launched and some hostages have been freed.

He said security forces are trying to enter the building and the operation will be met to its logical end and casualties cannot be confirmed at this moment.

 Two blasts heard inside GHQ

RAWALPINDI: Three loud blasts and gunshots have been heard inside GHQ.

According to Geo News, Director General, Inter Services Public Relations (DG-ISPR), Major General Athar Abbas said the operation against the terrorists has properly been launched and some hostages have been freed.

 Security forces are trying to enter the building and the operation will be met to its logical end, he added.

Pak army HQ attack exposes extremist threat: Clinton

LONDON: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the militant attack on Pakistan's army headquarters Saturday served to underline the extremist threat to the Islamabad government.

Clinton, who arrived in London, late Saturday as part of her five-day European tour, said the measures being taken to root out extremists in Pakistan were "very important".

Militants were holding up to 15 people hostage after a bid to storm the army headquarters in the garrison town of Rawalpindi left six soldiers and four attackers dead, Pakistani officials said.

Clinton told reporters she had been briefed about the attack.

She said she wanted to "point out this shows the continuing threats to the Pakistani government and the very important steps that the civilian leadership, along with the military, are taking to root out the extremists and prevent violence and direct assaults on the sovereignty of the state."

Up to 10 suspected Taliban gunmen in military uniform armed with automatic weapons and grenades drove up to the compound and shot their way through one check post.

GHQ attack report published in Daily Jang, The News on Oct 5^th

RAWALPINDI: Proper measures could not be adopted to avoid the tragedy, despite Daily Jang and The News International had published the report of possible attack on GHQ, Rawalpindi on October 5^th.

The report published in Daily Jang and The News International on October 5^th informed that according to the Interior Department Punjab a source had revealed terrorists of Tehreek-e-Taliban, Pakistan were planning attack on GHQ in collaboration with Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

The report further read the terrorists had planned to enter into the GHQ using fake army uniforms and vehicles.

“If they fail to enter as per the first plan, then as an alternative they will drive the vehicle to the allegedly broken wall of the GHQ and jumped down into the compound using a ladder.”

Afterward they might break into the central building and start gunfire resulting in massacre, the report added.

The report also revealed possible life threats to PM, Sharif brothers and other key personalities.

Meanwhile, another report published on September 30^th warned a possible suicide blast in Lahore through an explosive-laden vehicle possibly targeting the army installations.

GHQ attack: ISPR releases pictures of two terrorists

RAWALPINDI: Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) has released the pictures of two terrorists who attacked on GHQ early Saturday.

According to ISPR pictures of the two of the four terrorists, involved in attack on GHQ, have been released. 

One of the four terrorists, killed during the attack was suicide bomber. His picture has also been released. 

 Lenience possible if terrorists surrender right now: Rehman

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik said days of terrorists are numbered and that if terrorists surrender right now, they may expect lenience. 

Talking to Geo News, the Federal Minister said we had no prior information about the attack on GHQ, although a major terror activity in Rawalpindi/Islamabad had been reported.

“Terrorists have no link with Islam. Those who term Pakistan as a failed state will not be successful.”

The Minister said all terror activities have links in Northern Waziristan and the situation demands an inevitable operation in the region.

“Days of terrorists are numbered; they might expect leniency, if surrender right now.”

Rehman Malik advised landholders not to rent out their property on temporary basis to any foreigner or local person.

New Delhi will have to provide concrete evidences for the arrest of Hafiz Saeed, he added. 

                                       Saturday October 10, 2009

Terrorists hold 10-15 people hostage in GHQ’s security office

ISLAMABAD: About 4 to 5 terrorists are holding 10-15 people, including security and civil personnel, hostage in a security office of GHQ, DG ISPR Maj. General Athar Abbas said on Saturday.

Security personnel have surrounded the office, he added.

Earlier, six terrorists attempted to launch an attack on GHQ which was foiled by the security personnel. Four terrorists were killed while two escaped from the scene. Six security men including a Brigadier Anwar and Lt. Col. Wasim were also martyred in the incident.

Six terrorists in army uniform attempted to get entry into GHQ at 11:30 am on Saturday from gate no 1. When stopped by security officials, they reached at check post no 1 and opened fire on security men after taking positions after leaving the car. Four terrorists were killed and two fled during trade of fire between security officials and terrorists. Army gunship helicopters started hovering over the area for vigilance. The commandos seized the bodies of terrorists and shifted them.

The DG ISPR confirmed killing of four terrorists whereas six security personnel including Brigadier Anwar and Lt. Col. Wasim were also martyred in the operation. Two terrorists managed to flee.  

The security men later found that the escaped terrorists took shelter in a nearby security office which is now surrounded by security forces. 

The ISPR said that more than two terrorists are in the security office where several security personnel are held hostage.

6 security men martyred, 4 terrorists killed in failed GHQ attack 

RAWALPINDI: The terrorists attack on GHQ has been foiled as four terrorists were killed and six security personnel martyred in the action whereas search operation for two terrorists still at large is underway.

According to reports, terrorists in army uniform attempted to get entry into GHQ at 11:30 am on Saturday from gate no 1. When stopped by security officials, they reached at check post no 1 and opened fire on security men after taking positions after leaving the car. Four terrorists were killed and two fled during trade of fire between security officials and terrorists. Army gunship helicopters started hovering over the area for vigilance. The commandos seized the bodies of terrorists and shifted them.

DG ISPR Athar Abbas confirmed killing of four terrorists whereas six security officials were also martyred in the operation. Two terrorists managed to flee. Search operation is underway in the area to nab the two terrorists at large. All roads leading to GHQ have been sealed after the incident.

Two fleeing terrorists under siege in Rawalpindi

RRAWALPINDI: Two terrorists who escaped after attacking GHQ have taken refuge in a security office near second GHQ check post, ISPR said Saturday.

Security personnel have surrounded the office, ISPR added.

Earlier, six terrorists attempted to launch an attack on GHQ which was foiled by the security personnel. Four terrorists were killed while two escaped from the scene. Six security men were also martyred in the incident.

The security men later found that the escaped terrorists took shelter in a nearby security office which is now surrounded by security forces.

The security forces have also raided a house in Islamabad, about 4 to 5 kilometers away from GHQ, where the terrorists had been residing before launching today’s attack, sources said.

Security forces have arrested the owner of the house where the terrorists had planned the attack, sources added. The terrorists were believed to have been residing in this house for the last three to four months, sources said.

Security uniforms, hand grenades and detonators have been recovered from the house, sources said.

GHQ attack foiled 
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan army has foiled the terrorists attack on GHQ and killed four terrorists whereas six army men embraced shahadat during the action completed within one hour.

According to reports, four terrorists riding in a white car targeted check post near GHQ. 

They tried to move another check post when security guards intercept them. Security forces retaliated swiftly and effectively and killed four terrorists during an hour long action. Six security personnel had been martyred in the operation.

DG ISPR Major General Athar Abbas said terrorists wearing forces uniform and riding in a white Suzuki car attacked first check post with automatic weapons. On the resistance of security guards, they tried to move towards another check point. Four terrorists were killed during exchange of fire. The area has been cordoned off as search operation in underway in the area and situation is completely under control.

TTP group claims GHQ attack 
KARACHI: Tahreek-e-Taliban (Ajmad Farooqi) group has claimed responsibility of attack on army headquarters.

In a telephone call made to Geo News office, member of TTP group demanded halt of operation in northern areas, accountability of former President Pervez Musharraf, return of black water and closure of Western NGOs.

Six army men martyred in GHQ onslaught 
ISLAMABAD: Spokesman Pakistan armed forces and DG ISPR Major General Athar Abbas said Friday that six army personnel embraced martyrdom during gunbattle with suspected Taliban militant outside army headquarters in Rawalpindi, Geo news reported.

This ISPR spokesman stated while giving details on the military-militants encounter during Geo news program Aaj Kamran Khan Kay Sath.

He said the search operation cum air surveillance, with a view to locate the fled militants, are underway in areas adjacent to headquarters. 

Attack at GHQ condemned 

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani slammed the attack at Pakistan Army headquarters in Rawalpindi

President Zardari in his statement said such incidents could not weaken governments’ commitment against terrorism.

PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Altaf Hussain, Governor Sindh Dr. Ishratul Ibad and other leaders also condemned the incident.


4 army men killed in attack: ISPR 
RAWALPINDI: The Director General of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Athar Abbas has confirmed that four army personnel have been killed during the attack at GHQ on Saturday, Geo News reported.

PM Gilani slams GHQ attack 
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani slammed the attack at military headquarters in Rawalpindi 

All terrorists killed in GHQ gunbattle: ISPR 
ISLAMABAD: The spokesman Pakistan army Major General Athar Abbas has confirmed to Geo news that the situation outside army General Headquarters (GHQ) has been brought under total control meanwhile, all four terrorists who carried out gun onslaught at army checkpost, have been killed.

According to sources, four terrorists, driving a white Suzuki van and dressed in army uniform, opened firing and hurled hand grenades at army checkpost outside headquarters’ main gate, which security forces retaliated successfully, killing all four terrorists while two were arrested. 

Some security guards were also embrace martyrdom during offensive, Abbas said, adding, army commandos had cordoned off the entire area and search operation remained underway to locate other militants who might have fled through adjacent areas.

The miscreants have been overpowered and the situation is under complete control just after one-hour long gunbattle, spokesman ISPR Athar Abbas confirmed to Geo news. 

According to details suspected militants attacked tightly guarded army headquarters on Saturday, as they were in a white Suzuki vehicle and were intercepted at army checkpost no 1, they opened fire and threw five hand grenades at a main gate, security officials and media said. 

"They wore army uniforms and tried to enter the headquarters area but when they were stopped they opened fire and hurled hand grenades and later were killed following a deadly gunbattle," a security official told media.

Four terrorists were killed and two were arrested during one-hour long encounter and four army men embraced martyrdom, army sources said.

Media sources said firing continued with the two or three gunmen for forty minutes after the attack was launched. Three blasts had been heard, they said. 

Soldiers had sealed off roads leading to the headquarters and two helicopters remained hovering over the area. 

Search operation air surveillance at GHQ 

RAWALPINDI: Firing has come to halt after one-hour long army operation outside army GHQ, Geo news reported on Friday morning, meanwhile, search operation and air surveillance is still continued.

At least four terrorists were killed and two were arrested while a dead body of an unidentified person was also recovered form the encounter place, sources said.

The miscreants have been overpowered and the situation is under completely control, spokesman ISPR Ather Abbas confirmed to Geo news. 

According to details suspected militants attacked tightly guarded army headquarters on Saturday, as they were in a white Suzuki vehicle and were intercepted at army checkpost no 1, they opened fire and threw five grenades at a main gate, security officials and media said. 

"They wore army uniforms and tried to enter the headquarters area but when they were stopped they opened fire and hurled hand grenades," a security official told media.

Four terrorists were killed and two were arrested during one-hour long encounter, army sources said.

The suspected militants had driven up to the gate in a white Suzuki van that was carrying explosives, the official said. 

Media sources said firing was still going on with the two or three gunmen for forty minutes after the attack was launched. Three blasts had been heard, they said. 

Soldiers sealed off roads leading to the headquarters and ahelicopter was hovering over the area. 

President Zardari condemns GHQ attack 
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has condemned the attack at GHQ in Rawalpindi. 

President Zardari in his statement said such incidents could not weaken governments’ commitment against terrorism.

Four killed, two held outside GHQ 
RAWALPINDI: At least four militants were killed and two were arrested amid firing between miscreants and army commandos outside army headquarters while the situation has been brought under control, army sources said.

Some security personnel might be martyred during offensive, sources feared.

Heavy firing, blasts near GHQ in Pindi 
RAWALPINDI: Heavy firing has been reported near GHQ army Headquarters here in Rawalpindi, meanwhile, several loud explosions have also been heard, Geo news reported.

Soldiers guarding army headquarters opened fire at a suspected suicide bomber in a vehicle on Saturday, a security official and media said. 

According to an eyewitness, the shooting began when a white Suzuki vehicle was intercepted by army personnel for routine checking at army checkpost near army headquarters on Mall Road, so the miscreants, sitting on vehicle, opened heavy and indiscriminate firing meanwhile, army soldiers have surrounded the vehicle and started retaliation.

As many as five hand grenades have been hurled from the vehicle meanwhile, the entire area has been cordoned off and the roads leading to GHQ have been closed for traffic, sources said

The details said firing is still going on with gunmen who had tried to enter the tightly guarded sprawling headquarters in the city of Rawalpindi, near the capital, Islamabad. 

Army commandos have kicked off search operation to locate some fled miscreants into areas adjacent to GHQ, witnesses said.

Moreover, the miscreants are dressed in army uniform while army helicopters have began hovering over the firing spot.

Witnesses also feared there might be heavy explosive materials inside the vehicle. 

Heavy firing heard near GHQ 

RAWALPINDI: Heavy firing heard near GHQ, sources said.