Alleged mastermind of attack on Lankan cricketers arrested

Pakistani security forces have arrested the alleged mastermind of the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team after troops rescued a group of hostages held by the terrorists at the army headquarters in Pakistan (GHQ), the Associated Press of Pakistan said.

Security forces held the injured terrorist commander, Aqeel alias Dr.Usman during the search and clean operation on Sunday morning and he is allegedly the mastermind of terrorist attack on Sri Lankan cricket team, according to the spokesman of the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas.

He said that two terrorists out of four, who were killed on Sunday morning were wearing suicide jackets and they remained unable to inflict any loss as the commandos first hit them successfully and then freed the hostages from their clutches.

Earlier, on Saturday six Army personnel were killed while five others were injured when the terrorists were challenged by the security staff at the checkpost on the Mall Road near GHQ.

The episode unfolded at about 11.30 am on Saturday when the 7/8 culprits, riding a suzuki van, started firing at the personnel at the barrier, also hurling hand grenades.

The injured were rushed to hospital as the security officials tried to secure the safe release of security men who were taken hostage after those assailants who survived the counter firing by the security guards stormed into the nearby security office building.

They entered this building while making a run towards checkpost No.2 of GHQ after initially facing resistance at checkpost No.1 where all the casualties occurred.

Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said earlier Saturday night that eight to ten terrorists were involved in the GHQ attack.

He said all terrorists were dressed up in camouflage uniform, who were riding a Suzuki van bearing army number, attacked the checkpost No. 1. Later, they headed towards Checkpost No. 2 where they were again intercepted by security forces.