Posted by
Darko Trifunovic on Friday, November 28, 2008 4:32:38 AM
Pakistani Intelligence
Warns Of Further Taliban Suicide Attacks
Pak Intel warns of
potential Taliban attacks on Karachi
airport/sensitive installations.
Synopsis: Pakistani intelligence
agencies warn that the Taliban may launch more suicide attacks on sensitive
installations across the nation. The intelligence agencies informed the
Interior Ministry that November would be a crucial month as al-Qaeda and
Taliban-linked terrorists have planned to carry out attacks on Jinnah
International Airport Karachi, and also the offices of various ministries in
Islamabad, Daily Times reported on 25 Nov.
The security sources
told the newspaper on condition of anonymity that terrorists have planned to
attack major cities in retaliation to the ongoing operation in the troubled
northwestern tribal belt bordering Afghanistan. Pakistan's
tribal region has been the scene of some of the worst fighting between Pakistani
forces and Taliban-linked militants in recent months. Sources also noted that
the Taliban has dispatched suicide bombers' teams to the major cities including
Karachi, Lahore
and Islamabad.
The authorities have subsequently directed law enforcement agencies to take immediate
action to ensure security at the airports and the ministries' offices. The
intelligence network and law enforcement agencies have reportedly been put on
high alert. Pakistan has suffered a wave of violence, and thousands have lost
their lives since the former military ruler Pervez Musharraf joined the US-led
'war on terror' following the 9/11 attacks. Former Prime Minister Bhutto was
killed in a suicide gun and bomb attack in Rawalpindi in December 2007.
Fifty-five people were
killed when a truck loaded with explosives blew up outside the five-star Marriott
hotel in the heart of Islamabad
on September 20. More than 2,000 people were killed in Pakistan in
2007 in terrorist attacks that the government blames on militants opposed to
its support of the US-led campaign against terrorism.
Analysis/Road Ahead: Pakistani intelligence
warning of approaching Taliban suicide attacks on sensitive targets such as Karachi airport and several key federal ministries in Islamabad will serve to
amplify fear among the populace and intensify Pakistani security agencies alertness.
Moreover such intimidated threats could spark calls to bolster the
Inter-Services Intelligence Agency (ISI). The recent deactivation of the
political wing of the ISI which saw Pakistani leaders proclaim the agency could
now focus on external threats may provoke calls for the political wing to be
reactivated to again focus on internal threats. Revelation of imminent suicide
attacks
publicized in the media
will ignite additional anti-American rhetoric with claims the US missile strikes
aroused the Taliban to threaten these attacks on Pakistani institutions.
Whether or not actual attacks transpire media reporting will incite Pakistan’s populace to blame the US for provoking
the Taliban. The Taliban will conceivably defer planned attacks or strike alternate
targets.
Sources: Press TV, Zeenews, Middle East Times, ANI, AKI, 25 Nov 08