-Loaded with around 20kg explosives, terror Car was heading for some high-value target in Capital City
-Head Constable Adeel Hussain martyred, several injured while intercepting terrorists
-Interior Minister praises Policemen for preventing ultimate terror target
By Anzal Amin
ISLAMABAD: The Capital Police at the early hours of Friday have busted a major terror plot by intercepting a vehicle carrying suicide bomber what Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah described was aimed at targeting important site in the Capital City.
At least one Policeman Head Constable Adeel Hussain was martyred, while multiple were injured yesterday in a suicide attack in Islamabad’s I-10 area, Deputy Inspector General Operations Sohail Zafar Chattha told the media.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, while terming the man and woman terrorists , said that they had plans to attack a “high value target”.
The security czar of the country said that the attackers had come in a car as they planned to enter an important building such as the Parliament House, Supreme Court, Prime Minister House, PTV, and High Courts. He added had the car not been stopped then there would have been many casualties.
“This would have been a shame for our country if the attack had taken place at a high-value building or Red Zone area,” the Interior Minister told media. Sanaullah said that security forces were on high alert after the Bannu incident and Islamabad is always on alert.
According to initial details about 18 kilograms of explosives were used in the blast, the Vehicle was registered in Chakwal but has a number plate of Lahore. Further investigation were underway while Police said that a mobile phone was discovered at the scene of the incident which has been seized.
Addressing the media at the blast site, DIG Chattha said that members of the Eagle Squad stopped a suspicious taxi for checking when the suicide attacker detonated himself.
The DIG said that the attacker blew himself after he came back in his car. He added that a women and man were in the taxi when the explosion occurred. “Police personnel saved Islamabad from a major disaster with courage and presence of mind,” said DIG Chattha. He added that four cops were injured in the attack.
Meanwhile, Director of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Dr Khalid Masood said that they have received 10 injured. He added that apart from the martyred cop, two other dead bodies had arrived at the hospital.
Security Forces were being put on high alert in Rawalpindi and Islamabad after the blast occurred in the federal capital.
On the other hand, the regional police officer of Rawalpindi directed the district police officer and the city police officer to make snap-checking more effective on all the internal and external routes. He also directed the police to check suspicious vehicles and people closely at special checkpoints.
The cop also ordered to ensure fool-proof security during Friday prayers and other sensitive places. The RPO further ordered to ensure the checking of cars and people following the SOPs. In view of the security situation, Section 144 has also been imposed in the capital.
All the hospitals in Islamabad were being put on high alert, a notification issued by the Ministry of National Health Services said. The Ministry said to ensure the attendance of all the medical and paramedical staff. The Ministry of Health said that all federal hospitals should be kept on high alert keeping in view the current situation.
Soon after the blast, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif summoned a report of the suicide blast and also condemned the terror incident. The PM also paid tribute to the martyred policemen, adding that the nation pays tribute to its martyrs. He added that the whole nation will fight against terrorism.
“The plan to shed innocent blood has failed due to the action of the law enforcement agencies,” said the PM. He also announced a martyr package for the family of Head Constable Adeel Hussain.
Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb condemned terrorism in the city, saying that Shaheed Adeel Hussain and the injured are the heroes of the nation. Aurangzeb prayed for the family members, the martyred and the speedy recovery of the injured.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, condemning the suicide attack in Islamabad, expressed condolences over the martyrdom of the policeman. Bilawal paid tribute to the policemen for their bravery. “The Islamabad police have carried their duties without caring about their lives,” said the foreign minister.
The Minister also expressed sympathy to the family members of the martyred and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured police personnel. Former president and Pakistan Peoples Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the incident while offering his condolences to the family of the martyred policeman and praying for the wounded. The brave policemen have crushed the evil intentions of the terrorists, he said.
