Pakistani Taliban hold secret meeting, plan fresh strikes

LAHORE - The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has held a secret meeting at which they decided to set up two units to carry out strikes on foreigners and security forces, a media report said.

Express Tribune reported that TTP has formed two units under the supervision of two commanders - Mujahid Abu Asim and Abdul Ghani - and directed them to carry out attacks on foreigners, police, army and personnel of other law-enforcement agencies.

The terror group held a secret annual meeting with other militant organisations where matters relating to operational and strategic planning were discussed.

The two Taliban units will attack foreigners and law-enforcement agencies, especially in Punjab province, the media report said.

Citing intelligence reports, the media report said the meeting also decided to launch a fund-raising campaign across the country to purchase ammunition to execute the terror plans.

The National Crisis Management Cell of the interior ministry has issued a directive to security agencies to promptly put security on high alert.

TTP has carried out terror attacks in Pakistan and has been held responsible for the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto Dec 27, 2007 in Rawalpindi.