The National Counter Terrorism Authority has warned against terrorist attacks during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Sunday (tomorrow) protest in Islamabad.
It has been revealed that the banned Fitnal Khawarij, erstwhile TTP, was planning terrorist attacks in Pakistan’s big cities, NACTA said in a statement. There are reports that the outlawed group’s members have “entered the country from Afghanistan on November 20.”
Incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan has asked his supporters to march towards Islamabad on November 24 for democracy and judiciary. But Defence Minister Khawaja Asif believes the protest is akin to “insurrection” as the former ruling party allegedly wants to usurp the federal capital.
The PTI founder has set four demands for ending protests while his wife has stated that the date would only change if Khan is out of jail.
Khan’s PTI encountered a significant setback on Thursday when the Islamabad High Court ruled that no protests or rallies violating a recent law on public gatherings would be permitted over the weekend due to the visit of the Belarusian president.
The federal government has called in additional security troops to assist the capital city administration in maintaining order during the protest.
There are reports that outlawed group members “are present in several major cities” across Pakistan, NACTA stated.
In light of the threat, the body has urged the government to tighten security measures significantly.
NACTA has issued a warning that a terrorist incident could occur on November 24, coinciding with the day of the PTI protest.
“The Khawarij group may carry out attacks in major cities. NACTA has instructed provincial governments to implement immediate and stringent measures,” it said.
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Pakistan has seen an increase in militancy since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021, with the Pakistani chapter of the movement carrying out attacks mostly targeting security forces.
Last week, seven security personnel were martyred in an exchange of fire with terrorists who attempted to attack a security forces’ post in the general area of Shah-e-Mardan of the Kalat district in Balochistan.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations said that six terrorists were killed in the gun battle.
