Pakistan Fears 9/11 Terror Attacks

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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Noteworthy or just baseless fear?

KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) - Intelligence agencies have received “credible reports” that terrorists are planning to strike in Pakistan on or around the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks in New York and Washington, a top police official said Wednesday.

Maj. Gen. Salahuddin Satti, chief of the paramilitary Pakistani Rangers, said potential targets include both foreign and domestic organizations throughout the country, including foreign missions, police and military installations and churches.

“We have credible reports that terrorists may strike again to convey their message on and around Sept. 11,” Satti said during a news conference at the Rangers’ headquarters in the southern port city of Karachi. “Our intelligence and security agencies are on alert.”

Satti said that for security reasons he would not reveal specific information that intelligence agencies had received about possible targets.

“Comprehensive security plans have been chalked out … and we are prepared to check any sabotage attempt,” he said.

Islamic militants opposed to President Gen. Pervez Musharraf’s support for the U.S.-led war on terrorism have waged numerous attacks on foreigners and Christians in Pakistan following the Sept. 11 attacks.

Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and murdered in Karachi in January, a suicide bomber in Karachi killed 11 French engineers in May and a car-bomb outside the U.S. Consulate here in June killed 12 Pakistanis.

Earlier this month, militants attacked a Christian school and a Christian hospital near Islamabad, killing 11, including one of the attackers.

The militants also attacked a church in Islamabad’s heavily guarded diplomatic quarter in March, killing five people, including an American woman and her teenage daughter.

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Definitely noteworthy in cities like Karachi, which is fartehst from the pakistani military headquarters and has been a target of such attacks recently.

Apprehension voiced on first anniversary of Sept 11

Apprehension voiced on first anniversary of Sept 11
11,000 para-military forces to patrol on Karachi roads
500 field security sleuths to protect important places
Snap checking at all entry and exist point of the city
By Afzal Nadeem Dogar
(Updated at 1330 PST)
KARACHI: The security forces in Karachi have voiced apprehension on the first anniversary of September 11.

“We have taken strict security measures in the city to foil possible terrorism by al-Qaida and Taliban terrorists on this occasion”.

This was disclosed by the Director General Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) Salahuddin Sati while talking to the editors of newspapers called on him at the Rangers headquarters in Karachi.

He said para-military Rangers will remain stand by across the city especially around 47 diplomatic missions, residences of foreigners mainly employed with multinational companies and five star hotels where foreign guests are staying.

The DG Rangers said 500 sleuths of 7 intelligence companies are permanently keeping vigilant eye on the movements of people to prevent any bad eventuality on the eve of September 11.

He said 11,000 paramilitary forces are in the field and vehicles at 5 entry and exist points of the city are being checked to ensure the foolproof security for the city.

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We are prepared :soldier:

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**Credible Info: Pak Rangers see threat of RAW sponsored attacks **

Updated on 2002-08-29 10:27:33

KARACHI, August 29 (PNS): Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) have credible information about threat of terrorist attacks on September 11, 2002 by Indian intelligence agency RAW at offices of foreign missions and vital strategic installations in Karachi. “We are fully prepared to thwart threat of terrorist attacks and maintaining round the clock surveillance and tight security on the targets. But we cannot specify these. Our top priority is checking terrorist activities. It is a challenging task and we are totally mindful of our responsibilities,” said Director General Pakistan Rangers, (Sindh) Major General Salahuddin Satti while talking to editors and senior journalists at his office in Karachi Wednesday.

He said Pakistan Rangers, Sindh personnel had made a breakthrough by arresting those involved in an assassination attempt on President General Pervez Musharraf on April 26, 2002 in Karachi as well as those responsible for the suicide bomb attack outside the United States Consulate in Karachi on June 14, 2002.

“We are also making headway in probing suicide bomb attack on May 8, 2002 outside Sheraton Hotel Karachi in which 11 French naval technicians were killed,” Major General Salahuddin Satti stated. “All this is being achieved in view of close coordination among all law enforcement agencies both at the Federal and Provincial level”, he noted.

The 22000 personnel of Rangers are “deeply committed” in internal security duties in aid of civil power in Sindh and were also deployed on the border with India in the province for security purposes, since the enemy massed its troops.

He said terrorist groups in the country have been identified. Their members are dedicated workers who have gone underground apprehending arrest. “We are after them and they will be arrested.”

He said 133 pickets manned by Rangers personnel were operating at “trouble spots” round the clock in Karachi to maintain law and order. Cases of car snatching, dacoities and robberies had decreased as a result of snap checking by personnel of Rangers in the cosmopolitan city, he stated.

He said “we will provide security to participants of International defense Exhibition and Seminar IDEAS 2002 being held in Karachi next month. During elections in the province in October we will be entrusted responsibility to maintain law and order.”

Satti said Rangers also provide security to major educational institutions in Karachi and interior Sindh. Personnel of Rangers have set up five check points on exit routes from the province and nabbed those involved in various crimes and smuggling at inter-provincial level.

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There goes my plans to visit Karachi for september :(