Monday, March 30, 2009

ALARM BELLS RING IN INDIA OVER ATTACK ON POLICE TRAINING CENTER NEAR LAHORE


Pakistani security forces deployed at the site of a police training center in Lahore on March 30, 2009. Police and security forces arrested a suspect allegedly linked to a group of attackers who besieged a police academy where 25 people died during pitched battles, police said. AFP PHOTO/ Aamir QURESHI (Photo credit should read AAMIR QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Pakistani security officials arrest a suspected militant (R) near the site of a police training center in Lahore on March 30, 2009. Police and security forces arrested a suspect allegedly linked to a group of attackers who besieged a police academy where 20 people died during pitched battles, police said. AFP PHOTO/Sameed QURESHI (Photo credit should read SAMEED QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images)
TALIBAN ONLY 12KMS FROM INDIA 'S BORDER CITY AMRITSAR
RASHMI TALWAR

The Indo-Pak border was on heightened alert following the chartered terrorist attack on Police Training Center PTC at Manawa just 12Kms from the border .
The attack by suspected foreign elements along with local youth has triggered off alarm bells in Delhi over the proximity of the Taliban alleged to be behind the attack to Indian territory .
Meanwhile, the death toll in the attack has risen to 25 and more than 90 police personnel have been injured so far. As many as 350-400 were held hostage in the PTC following this early morning attack about 7.30 Pakistan time. Till the time of filing of this report the 2211 rescue operation squad was tackling the situation as also other para troops and pak army was called out for reinforcements.
Manawa where the PTC is located is on the East of Lahore and just 12Kms from the village of Wagah on the Pakistan side that is adjoining the Indian township of Attari in Amritsar.
Although BSF DIG Mohammed Aquil said the Indo Pak border has been on high alert ever since 26/11 the Mumbai terrorist attack and more so now following announcement of Parliamentary Elections in India . However the unfolding terrorist attack so close to the border is cause for deep security concerns . Although he denied that the Indian army has taken active war positions along the border he said only the coming days would give concrete answers .
Meanwhile according to ANI Pakistan has pointed towards a probable foreign involvement in the attack on the police training camp in Lahore earlier today.
Pakistan Prime Minister's Advisor on Interior Affairs, Rehman Malik said the attack has been carried out by the jihadi outfits and a foreign hand could not be ruled out.
"Today's incident is part of terror wave exists in the country which begun from NWFP. This is an attack against country's sovereignty," The News quoted Rehman, as saying.
Rehman said that the attack was well planned and organized and it appears that the attackers were during the Afghan jihad.
He confirmed that at least ten militants were still present inside the police training facility.
Images of a suspected militant being nabbed by the security forces also appeared on government television, but there is no official confirmation about the report. According to unconfirmed reports the apprehended terrorist is a Afghan national .
Curfew has been imposed in Manawan in Lahore with the pitched battle between the terrorists and commandos of Pakistan Army, Rangers still going on