



Pakistani intelligence agencies have alleged that their American, Indian and Afghan counterparts are financially supporting banned militant outfits in the country.





The contents of a circular issued to law enforcement agencies by the interior ministry’s National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC) revealed the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) are funding Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) Punjabi, Asmatullah Moavia, Ghulam Rabbani and Qari Kamran factions through Afganistan’s Riyast-i-Amoor-o-Amanat-i-Milliyah (RAAM) and National Directorate of Security (NDS).The banned outfits are planning attacks on sensitive installments across the country, including Police Elite Force and Counterterrorism Department Headquarters in Lahore, the circular further revealed. Reconnaissance of potential targets is already being conducted and potential suicide attackers have been earmarked by the groups, it added.Following the reopening of Nato supply lines in Pakistan and reports of a planned military operation in North Waziristan, TTP commanders Waliur Rehman and Hakeemullah Mehsud have joined hands to mount an intense retaliation, the circular stated.According to an intelligence report, the terrorists, in collaboration with NDS, have planned attacks on the Allama Iqbal International Airport and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Base in Lahore, and the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad using explosives-laden trucks.Another report revealed two terrorists who survived the Kamra incident are currently in Lahore with suicide jackets as well. Another, allegedly Uzbek, suicide bomber is also present in the city. Likely targets for the terrorists include the police Inspector General’s (IG) Complex, Capital City Police Officer’s (CCPO) office, Punjab Civil Secretariat, police stations and training institutes, law enforcement personnel and foreign missions.Yet another report, dated August 12, 2012, revealed TTP’s Qari Aslam group dispatched two would-be suicide attackers from Bhakkar to Lahore to target Shia and Ahmadi gatherings in the city at an opportune time.The Asmatullah Moavia faction, meanwhile, has been tasked with killing and abducting high-profile officials in Lahore and targeting military and security check posts at University Road, Peshawar, the circular added.The TTP has also dispatched an 18-member terrorist group to attack high-profile military and civil officers in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. They may resort to killing or abducting the officers, the report stated. Miscreants are planning attacks on the Benazir Bhutto International Airport as well.The interior ministry has placed law enforcement agencies in the twin cities on high alert following the notification.An attack on the Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF) Wah has been planned by militants with ties to the Bajaur Agency. According to intelligence reports, the attackers are likely to enter the factory through Gate 1. Allegedly, reconnaissance has already been carried out.The Hakeemullah Mehsud faction, meanwhile, is targeting the Pak Arab Oil Refinery Company (Parco) situated at Qasba Gujjar, between Dera Ghazi Khan and Muzaffargarh. At the same time, the Sheikh Yasin group is planning an attack on the Risalpur Garrison, reports claimed.Published in The Express Tribune, September 2, 2012.