NEW DELHI, March 13: The Pakistan government unveiled a national plan on Thursday to fight incidents of terrorism which have registered a rise in the country in the past two days. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif approved the National Plan for Action (NPA) under which various security measures will be introduced in the country.A day earlier, Pakistan blamed India for being responsible for the bomb attacks on trains for two days in the Punjab province which resulted in the deaths of ten people. In addition, explosions rocked buildings in Sukkur, one of the main towns in Sindh province, injuring thirteen. On Wednesday afternoon, Pakistan summoned India's deputy high commissioner and handed him a protest note in which Pakistan accused India of being involved in the blasts. India hotly denied the charges.
Under the NPA, trains will be subject to security sweeps prior to their arriving at platforms to pick passengers. Passengers will also be subject to searches by the police. Security at vital installations,particularly airports, has also been tightened. The cabinet has declared a red alert on railways and has directed that cleanup operations be launched in Sindh and Punjab provinces.
While Pakistan accused India of being behind the terrorist attacks, a lot of local politicians doubted this version. ``I think we give India too much credit,'' said one prominent politician. Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto asked the prime minister to ``step down,'' since he could not maintain law and order in the country.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
