Pakistan
Agencies have reported that Pakistani commandos freed dozens of hostages held by militants at the army's own headquarters Sunday, ending a bloody, 22-hour drama that embarrassed the nation's military as it plans a new offensive against al-Qaida and the Taliban. At least 19 people died in the standoff, including three captives and eight of the militants, who wore army fatigues in the audacious assault. The rescue operation began before dawn Sunday, ultimately freeing 42 hostages, the military said. One attacker, described as the militants' ringleader, was captured. Earlier Agencies reported that Militants held several security officers hostage inside an intelligence wing of the army headquarters Saturday after they and others attacked the complex in an audacious assault on Pakistan's most powerful institution.The attack, which left at least 10 people dead, was the third major militant strike in Pakistan in a week and came as the government was planning an imminent offensive against militants in their strongholds in the rugged mountains along the border with Afghanistan.It showed that the militants retain the ability to strike at the very heart of Pakistan's security apparatus despite recent military operations against their forces and the killing of Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud in a CIA drone attack in August. The attack began shortly before
We condemn this pointless attack. A terrorist outfit can not gain in this way .It will only enhance hatred against them and enhance their rout. No sane person will support such groups, whatever be the cause. We are worried that this outfit is doing all this in the name of Islam though all Islamic movements and leaders have rejected this madness.
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