LOC21:59
18:59 GMT
ISLAMABAD, June 14 (KUNA) -- After a week of bloody suicide and bomb
attacks across the country, Pakistan Sunday night announced operation against
Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud, who also masterminded the 2007 killing of
Pakistans former Prime Minister.
Awais Ghani, Governor North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), addressing a
press conference here said that the government has decided to launch operation
against Baitullah Mehsud and the military was already conducting it.
He held him responsible for all suicide and bomb attacks targeting innocent
people and security forces. He added that Baitullah has given refugee to
foreign elements as well.
Baitullah Mehsud is the head of Tehriki Taliban Pakistan (TTP)-South
Waziristan chapter. Though, he claims leadership of all Pakistan Taliban but
the TTP is divided into three factions with two others led by Mullah Nazir and
Commander Gul Bahadur of North Waziristan tribal agencies.
While, the North Waziristan chapters of TTP are believed to be linked to
Pakistans military intelligence agency ISI, Baitullah, according to the
intelligence authorities, has links to anti-Pakistan foreign elements. His
force largely comprises foreign militants of Central Asian origin and locals
from Southern Punjab.
He claimed responsibility for Fridays suicide attacks in Lahore and
Naushehra that killed over 20 including renowned anti-Taliban scholar Allama
Sarfraz Naqvi and wounded over 130 others.
He also was held responsible for the 2007 killing of Benazir Bhutto,
chairperson and Pakistans first female Prime Minister. (end)
amn.bs
KUNA 142159 Jun 09NNNN