Multiple terror strikes in Peshawar, army begins patrolling

[Naveed Yaseen]

Terrorists attack high security zone
* Two suspects killed, six arrested
* NWFP info minister says Pakistan in state of war

Daily Times Monitor

LAHORE: Two suspects were killed and six arrested as policemen and troops deployed at the Peshawar Corps Commander’s House foiled a terrorist attack in the high security zone on Peshawar’s Khyber Road on Thursday, private TV channels reported.

Citing witnesses, a channel said two suspects riding a motorbike tried to enter the Corps Commander’s House and fired at the security officials on being stopped. According to the channel, two other gunmen, also on motorbikes, followed the first pair.

Two suspects were killed in the ensuing gunfight, the channel said. Sporadic firing continued until the filing of this report.

The Peshawar police chief confirmed the killings but declined to comment further. Talking to reporters, he said the security forces had not suffered any casualties, and that they were clearing the area. A channel said an explosion was also heard before the gunfight.

Several important buildings are located in the high security zone on Khyber Road, including the houses of the inspector general of NWFP police, the governor, the chief minister, the Supreme Court’s Peshawar Registry and the Pearl Continental hotel that was attacked on Tuesday.

“We are in a state of war,” NWFP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said while talking to a news channel. He said such attacks could take place anywhere, even in the areas where security has been beefed up.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg1_5