IG KP says Peshawar targeted operation to be launched soon

PESHAWAR: Inspector-General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Nasir Durrani on Monday said a targeted operation will be conducted in Peshawar very soon.

Marketplaces and other public areas of the provincial capital would first be cleared by sniffer dogs and Bomb Disposal Units before being opened for the general public, he said, adding that approval for the measure had already been given by the KP government.

The IG's comments came a day after twin blasts claimed 43 lives in Qissa Khwani Bazaar, one of the oldest market places in Peshawar.

Speaking to reporters at the site of Sunday's attack, IG Durrani said the explosive used in the car bomb targeting Qissa Khwani Bazaar was locally made.

He further stated that the terrorists had changed their strategy of late, adding that first they were targeting the police, whereas, now they had started targeting markets and other public places.

He also stated that the provincial government had ordered the formation of a new strategy to fight terrorism and said the government would combat the menace with cooperation from the public.

The KP government had decided to launch the targeted operation after more than 140 people were killed in a flurry of suicide blasts that took place in Peshawar over the past one week. The decision was taken on Sunday in a high level meeting presided over by KP Chief Secretary Arbab Muhammad Shehzad.

While the meeting clearly defined the formation of a special task force which would combat terrorism, with the help of special intelligence organisations, it also decided to spread awareness against terrorism amongst the people.