Asif sees 'coordination' between terrorist attacks, PTI's Islamabad march

ISLAMABAD: Criticising Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on the timing of his planned protests in the federal Islamabad, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday questioned if there was any "coordination" between the Islamabad march and recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

Khawaja Asif took to Twitter to express his suspicions over Imran Khan’s motives and the timing of the upcoming march in the federal capital.

"India attacks LoC and Working Boundary. Quetta and Peshawar attacked from Afghanistan. Imran Khan preparing to attack Islamabad.. Accidental coordination?” he tweeted.

This drew ire from PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who was quick to respond to the defence minister's tweet, asking him to "delete" his account as well as his ministry.

In an apparent attempt to shoot two birds with one stone, Bilawal not only said it was "shameful to play politics", but also told the defence minister to "ignore clowns" and focus on his job.      

Too early to say anything with finality on Quetta attack: Khawaja Asif                

Earlier, the Defence Minister was talking to Geo News and said that it would be too early to say anything with finality on the Quetta incident.

He said that previous terrorists attacks have shown that terrorism in Balochistan is linked to elements across the border.

He said that Pakistan has proof of India’s involvement in terrorist attacks in the past.

“Modi had mentioned Balochistan, Kulbhushan was also caught from the province,” said the Defence Minister.

Asif said that 80% terrorism has been brought under control, although for the war against terrorism to reach its logical conclusion internal unity is crucial.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is also chairing a high-level meeting to review the law and order situation following the attack. The meeting is being attended by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, and other officials.

At least 61 security personnel were martyred and 117 injured when terrorists stormed the Police Training College located on Sariab Road late Monday night.

The terrorists entered the hostel of the centre and opened fire on the security personnel. According to personnel in the hostel, the terrorists started firing point blank.

Following the attack, Chief Minister Balochistan Sanaullah Zehri said there were prior intelligence reports of an attack and security had been on high alert. Due to high security across the provincial capital, these terrorists had opted for an attack on the police college in a suburban area, he added.