Attacks on defence targets reaction to military offensive: Pakistan minister

A recent attack on a Pakistan Navy installation in Karachi was a reaction to the ongoing military operation in North Waziristan tribal region, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told parliament Wednesday.

The security forces launched the major operation against the Pakistani and foreign militants in North Waziristan in June and have killed over 900 militants so far.

The attack on the Karachi Dockyard Sep 6 was the fourth big Taliban attack since the launch of the North Waziristan offensive.

The militants have carried out deadly revenge attacks on an airbase in southwestern Quetta and the airport in the northwestern city of Peshawar.

Making a policy statement on the terrorist attack on the Karachi Dockyard attack, the defence minister said that inside help could not be ruled out in Saturday's attack that claimed the life of a navy officer, Xinhua reported. Three miscreants were also killed in retaliation from the navy personnel.

"The miscreants could not have breached the defence of the navy installation without inside help," he said.

Stating that seven terrorists were arrested and an investigation was under way, the minister said that disclosure of more details of the attack could jeopardise the investigation process.

A navy spokesman had earlier stated that the security forces arrested several suspects from other parts of the country based on information extracted from the arrested people.

The defence minister said one former naval officer, who was expelled from the navy in 2013, has also been found involved in this incident.

Khwaja Asif said five 9 mm pistols, three intercoms, four suicide jackets, two detonators, handcuffs and other ammunition were recovered.

The Pakistani Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack. A Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman said the attackers had some inside support.

The minister also spoke about the Taliban attack on an air force base in Quetta city last month.

He said the Pakistan Air Force bravely foiled an attack on the Sumangli airbase in Quetta Aug 14.

Four terrorists were killed in the operation. No loss of life among was reported among security personnel barring minor injuries.