JCI on GHQ attack; future course of action to follow

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Army said Monday that the terrorist attack on GHQ was planned in South Waziristan with primary objective to secure release of 113 high profile Taliban terrorists and leaders from custody of the government.
They had given a list of demands which other than release of their leaders, also included trial of former President Pervez Musharraf and return of Pakistan air bases being used by the US forces, DG ISPR, Major General Athar Abbas told a press briefing.
He said target of the terrorists was to take some senior officers at GHQ hostages with ultimate aim to demand release of their top terrorists who have been arrested by the government.
However, army troops have been successful in foiling their desperate attempt by rescuing 95 percent of the hostages in shortest span of time, military spokesman said, adding, in our view terrorists could hardly achieve 10 percent of their objective because of swift response by our troops. He said Pakistan Army had prior information about the terrorist attack and had made security arrangements accordingly. Athar also referred to the intercept of conversation of TTP commander Wali-Ur-Rehman asking some one to pray for the 'Fadayeen attack on GHQ.
He said a Joint Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the incident to find out the real culprits and their motives. The Court of Inquiry will investigate all the aspects of the attack to ascertain whether there was any foreign hand involved in the attack, DG ISPR replied to a question about possibility of involvement of any foreign hand including India in it.
Answering a question about condition of the mastermind Akeel alias Dr. Usman, the spokesman said he was still unconscious because of serious injuries, adding his alleged role in masterminding the terrorist attack on Sri Lankas cricket team in Lahore would be investigated once he returns to consciousness.
Answering another question, he said five of the nine terrorists involved in the attack were from South Waziristan while the remaining, including Dr. Usman, were from different parts of Punjab.
He confirmed those from southern Punjab had links with disbanded Jaish e Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, having close linkages with disbanded TTP now being headed by Hakimullah Mehsud, adding they were unable to keep their presence in southern Punjab. General Athar also cautioned that the media and foreign analysts should not make a major issue of the problem of southern Punjab. While there are some splinter groups, there is no cause for alarm or for a major military operation.
Asked why the military operation in South Waziristan was being delayed, he said the government has taken a principled decision to undertake the operation but its timing will be decided by the military. We are judging the situation there (South Waziristan) and an appropriate action will be taken at a suitable time, he added.
AFP adds: three commandos died in hospital Monday raising the death toll from a day-long hostage drama at the army headquarters over the weekend to 23, a military statement said.