‘Search operation in south Punjab soon’

[Naveed Yaseen]

LAHORE: The government is soon going to start a search operation against suspected militants and terrorists in southern Punjab, State Minister for Interior Tasnim Ahmed Qureshi said on Tuesday. Talking to reporters during his visit to the Central Jail Staff Training Institute (CJSTI), he said the government had received information that terrorists were trying to launch operations in the area.

On the Mian Channu blast, Qureshi said it was not an attack, adding the agencies had termed the incident an explosion occurring during the preparation of bombs and other explosives. He also ruled out reports of major security threats to Punjab from the Taliban and banned organisations. Qureshi appreciated the public support for the government and the army, adding no military operation was being carried out in Waziristan, terming the current action a search operation against the Taliban. To another question, he said investigations were underway regarding the possible involvement of foreign elements behind terrorist activities in Pakistan, adding no one could be blamed as yet. “We assure the world that Pakistan will never facilitate terrorists and any act of terrorism and not allow anyone to use our territory for terrorism,” he said, adding the government would at the right time expose all local and foreign forces attempting to sabotage Pakistan’s integrity, solidarity and security. app

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg7_7