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Pakistani PM says terrorists can strike in any part of country

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, May 23, IRNA -- Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani Saturday said that terrorists can strike in any part of the country as they are in trouble in Swat valley in the wake of major military offensive.

Two car bomb blasts killed around 20 people in the northwestern city of Peshawar in a week and the authorities believe attacks are reaction to the military operation against the militants.

“There are intelligence reports that terrorists can carry out attacks in any part of the country as reaction,” the Prime minister told reporters in Lahore.

“But terrorists can not hold us hostage,” Gilani said, adding that operation against the militants is progressing well.

The army says that over 1000 militants have been killed in Swat and other parts of Malakand areas in the northwest over the past two months.

Gilani said that he had also mentioned in his televised address last month that the terrorists can strike in cities to react to the operation.

The Prime Minister rejected criticism at the military operation and said the action was taken after militants challenged writ of the government.

“We order operation where the writ is challenged, and when a parallel government is established. Armed forces assist the civil administration as and when they are required. If there is no problem we are not fool to launch operation there,” Gilani said.

He said the operation was well planned and there is cohesion between the security forces and civil institutions. “We are successful and we will be successful,” the Prime Minister said.

To a question about the U.S drone attacks inside the tribal regions, Gilani said the American strikes are counter productive and affect the anti-terror strategy.

He said Pakistan has succeeded to convince the world community that U.S drone attacks are counter productive and Islamabad is trying to convince the U.S too. “We are hopeful that the US will revive its policy. If these attacks were beneficial, we would have supported it,” he added.
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End News / IRNA / News Code 503895