ISLAMABAD, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Sunday telephoned Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvaiz Kiyani and expressed satisfaction over the successful completion of the operation against the terrorists.
 |
|
Pakistani security force stand guard at the entrance of the army headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, northeast Pakistan's Punjab Province, Oct. 10, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)
Photo Gallery>>>
|
Gilani also lauded the sacrifices of the soldiers and officers of the Pakistan army who laid down their lives in the line of duty and foiled the attempt of the terrorists, according to the official APP news agency.
Earlier, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majid also called on the prime minister at the PM House and discussed the prevailing security situation in Pakistan.
After the operation, army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told reporters that 39 hostages were freed safely in the two-phased operation launched at dawn.
A total of nine terrorists were killed while their leader Aqeelalias Dr. Usman was captured in injured condition, he said.
Three hostages were also killed while five others sustained injuries as a result of firing by their captors, he said.
Abbas said that 27 hostages were released in the first phase and four terrorists were killed by commandos of the Pakistan army. While 12 others were rescued in the second phase, also leading to the arrest of the terrorists leader, he added.
A total of nine personnel, six on Saturday and three on Sunday, including two officers, died during the episode, the spokesman said.
 |
|
Helicopters of Pakistani security force are on patrol near the army headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, northeast Pakistan's Punjab Province, Oct. 10, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)
Photo Gallery>>> |
The terrorists were carrying arms and explosive devices, including suicide jackets, grenades, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), detonators and other explosive material.
Terrorists' leader Aqeel alias Dr. Usman, who somehow managed to escape during the first phase of operation, was traced and arrested in the second phase from the adjacent offices of the security building, according to Abbas.
The spokesman said that in the second phase terrorist Aqeel was successfully overpowered within a few minutes and the remaining 12 hostages were also safely rescued from the clutches of the terrorists.
Usman is allegedly the mastermind of the March terrorist attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore.
The hostages have been shifted to safer places and were in good health conditions while those injured were accordingly moved to a military hospital, Abbas said.
Special Report: Pakistani Situation
