﻿ Pakistan raid stokes security fears | News | Al Jazeera

Pakistan raid stokes security fears

Dozens of hostages rescued after commandos end bloody siege of army GHQ in Rawalpindi.

    The deadly attack on the army GHQ ended on Sunday morning with commandos freeing 39 hostages [AFP]

    Kamal Hyder, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Islamabad, said that a total of 39 hostages were freed by special forces.

    "The attempt was to save as many lives as possible," he said.

    "But three hostages died as well two special force soldiers."

    Following interrogation of one of the arrested hostage takers by police, Hyder said, there was now evidence that "Dr Uthman" - who is linked to an attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team - was in charge of training the group that carried out the attack.

    People in Rawalpindi were less impressed with the storming of the GHQ or the investigation that has begun.

    Residents insecure

    Speaking to Al Jazeera on Sunday, one Rawalpindi resident said: "This is very dangerous. If this happens at army headquarters, despite tight security, then it is going to be tough for ordinary citizens."

    Another Pakistani citizen said: "Everyone in Pakistan is at risk. Anyone leaving their house cannot be sure whether he or she will return alive."

    The assault on the GHQ began when a group of armed men, dressed as soldiers, attacked the army compound, sparking a gun battle that killed four fighters and six soldiers.

    In depth

      Video: Pakistan army HQ attacked
      Profile: Pakistan Taliban
      Witness: Pakistan in crisis
      Riz Khan: The battle for the soul of Pakistan

    The remaining fighters took hostages, whom Abbas earlier described as security personnel, and barricaded themselves in a nearby office.


    It was unclear who was behind the attack, but Rehman Malik, Pakistan's interior minister, pointed the finger at the Taliban.



    Malik said that the fighters had spent months planning their assault. "These terrorists had rented a house near Islamabad for the last two months preparing themselves," he said.


    Provincial links

    Speaking to Al Jazeera on Sunday, Imtiaz Gul, a political analyst, also suspected a link between the Rawalpindi attack and South Waziristan.

    "A lot of al-Qaeda and ideologically tainted people belonging to the Islamic movement of Uzbekistan under the patronage of the Taliban are sheltering there," he said, referring to South Waziristan.




    SOURCE: Al Jazeera and agencies


    Interactive: How does your country vote at the UN?

    Interactive: How does your country vote at the UN?


    'We were forced out by the government soldiers'

    'We were forced out by the government soldiers'


    Interactive: Plundering Cambodia's forests

    Interactive: Plundering Cambodia's forests
