14 hours later, hostage crisis continues within GHQ

[LahoreEstate]

Sunday, October 11, 2009

By our correspondent

RAWALPINDI: At the time of this report going into print, around 15 unarmed Army officials including some senior officers, continue to be held hostage by about five militants inside a single storeyed block at the GHQ, sources told The News.

The building, which also housed offices dealing with certain sensitive matters, has been surrounded by Army commandos but so far extreme restraint and caution is being exercised by the forces for fear of harm to the hostages.

The sources said the militants are wearing explosive jackets and are armed with bombs and automatic guns. The terrorists are using the captives as human-shields, the sources said. “They are demanding negotiations with the military authorities for a safe exit but the army top brass has flatly refused to negotiate and has instead asked them to surrender to escape certain death”.

DG ISPR, Major General Athar Abbas has confirmed that 10 to 15 army officials are being held hostage in a security block in GHQ, adding that more than two militants are holding the security officials hostage.

Lights in the building and its surroundings have been turned off. The army is understandably not disclosing its rescue plans but according to sources the armed rescue operation was expected to take place in the wee hours.

AP adds: Maj Gen Athar Abbas said the building where the hostages had been held had no connection to any of the country’s intelligence agencies. No senior military or intelligence officials were among those being held, he said.

He said special forces had surrounded the building. “They will decide how and when to act,” he said.

http://thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=24949