Crackdown against LT intensified
Syed Irfan Raza
Monday, 08 Dec, 2008 | 10:41 PM PST |
ISLAMABAD: The government on Monday intensified the crackdown against Jehadi/charity organizations Lashkar-i-Taiba (LT) and Jamaatud Dawa (JD) across the country that led to the arrests of over two dozen persons including a top militant commander wanted by India in connection with Mumbai carnage.
It is hoped that the prevailing tension between two nuclear statesPakistan and India will defuse to some extent after the operation was jointly launched by military and civil security forces.
However, both Washington and New Delhi will be looking to how far the Pakistani action goes, diplomatic source said.
The operation that entered on the second day will continue till indefinite period and more arrests are likely to take place during next few days.
The operation is going on in Muzaffarbad and some other parts of the country and some arrests have been made including a top man of the LT, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj-Gen Athar Abbas told Dawn.
We do not want to go into details of the operation because of certain reasons and sensitivity of the matter, he said.
Responding to a question about the nature of the operation he said: It is an intelligence led operation in which not only army but all civil security agencies are taking part.
Asked if the operation was conducted on the back drop of Mumbai carnage and pressure of India and the United States, the spokesman said: It is quite pre-mature to establish the links of the arrested persons with Mumbai terrorist attacks.
Answering to a question about the time span of the crackdown against LT and JD, Gen Abbas said there was no timeframe for the operation and it will continue across the country till the desired results are achieved.
Meanwhile, Punjab Police have also ordered sealing of all offices of LT and JD and raids are being conducted in many parts of the country including the federal capital Islamabad.
A senior security official on the condition of anonymity confirmed the arrest of top commander of the LT Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi in a raid conducted at Muzaffarabad last night. Lakhvi is one of the persons wanted by India in connection with Mumbai rampage.
The ever strongest swoop of security forces against the two outfits in the country has hinted that it was conducted to pacify India and United States who have reportedly given Pakistan 48-hour deadline to take strict action against LT and JD for their alleged involvement in Mumbai killings.
The government has reportedly acted firmly after US Secretary of States Condoleezza Rice asked Pakistan to take action against the militant organizations.
Ms Rice has urged Islamabad to mount a robust and effective response to the attacks in Indias commercial hub that claimed over 200 lives last month.
Pakistan was also warned that if it does not take action against the LT and JD, India may go for surgical attacks to hit centers and offices of both organizations.
Lt has already been accused by New Delhi of conducting a number of terrorist activities in India.
A senior security official said a major army operation was under way in Muzaffarabad city suburbs against JD, which is headed by Hafiz Mohammad Saeed.
Jamaatud Dawa is not among 12 banned organisations in Pakistan but it is an off-shoot of LT and is under observation after being put on the watch-list.
DAWN.COM | Pakistan | Crackdown against LT intensified