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The Interior Ministry spokesman and chief of the National Crisis Management Cell Javed Iqbal Cheema on Tuesday rejected the impression that security agencies have identified the suicide bomber, who blew himself up outside Liaquat Bagh on December 27 as earlier claimed by the Interior Secretary.
A number of TV channels reported earlier quoting the Secretary Interior Syed Kamal Shah said that the suicide bomber namely Bilal who killed Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chairperson Benazir Bhutto along with dozens of other people on December 27 was identified by the security agencies. However, the spokesman later denied the claim at a weekly media briefing on the law and order situation, saying that it was misreported.
Besides, Cheema informed the media that the government has decided to acquire latest equipment for prompt detection of any suspect carrying explosives for hitting a security check post, barricade or a sensitive place.
The decision was taken at a high level meeting chaired by caretaker Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz Khan on Tuesday, which was attended by provincial chief secretaries, home secretaries and provincial police officers, he said.
He opined that this would greatly enhance the capability of the security agencies to pre-empt suicide bombing. In addition, he said, scanners are also being installed at provincial entry points and on the main arteries as well as on the entry, exit points of main cities.
Cheema said that the provincial administration and all other concerned authorities have been directed to take stringent measures to curb militancy and violence without leniency, adding that terrorist elements should be hunted down and apprehended.
The spokesman added that the government is also fully geared up on maintaining law and order during the crucial upcoming national elections so that people are able to cast their votes in a peaceful atmosphere.
He said that the meeting reviewed the overall situation to firm up security plans for orderly and smooth conduct of the elections. "The federal and provincial governments are determined to ensure peaceful democratic transition through fair, free and transparent elections scheduled for February 18" he maintained.
However, he ruled out any information about a possible suicide attack during the elections. All security arrangements have been put in place and final touches would be given days ahead of the polling day, the spokesman added.
Besides police, rangers and other security personnel, the army would also be available to assist in maintaining law and order if required, while the Election Commission would supervise the conduct of the polls, he opined.
Cheema claimed that the security forces have cleared Swat region of militants and established writ of the government in the area. In Darra Adam Khel, the Kohat tunnel is now fully under control and security forces are conducting a technical sweep of it before it is reopened for traffic.
The Indus highway would be opened for traffic shortly, he said adding that the operations in Darra resulted in the death of approximately 50 miscreants. While responding to a question, Cheema said that there are some intelligence reports about involvement of foreign hands in the terrorist acts including the one which took place in Peshawar in which some Chinese engineers were targeted.
However, the spokesman did not confirm the foreign involvement. To a question, the spokesman said that the government of Pakistan condoles the sad demise of US diplomat Keith Ryan yesterday morning in Islamabad. Apparently it seems to be a suicide attempt, full investigation from every aspects into the incident would be conducted, he opined.
He further said that the Scotland Yard team would come back to Pakistan in a week or so to gear up the investigation regarding the assassination of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2008

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