ISLAMABAD: There is a nexus between terror outfits operating in Pakistan including the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), former interior minister and Senator Rehman Malik told media on Thursday.
His statement comes a day after a blast occurred in Sabzi Mandi area of Islamabad, killing at least 24 persons and injuring more than 115 others. The United Baloch Army (UBA), a separatist militant outfit in Balochistan, claimed responsibility of the deadly terrorist attack.
However, the TTP which has claimed responsibility of numerous of terror attacks across the country denied its involvement in the blast as it has already announced ceasefire till April 10. The group also condemned the Islamabad Sabzi Mandi blast as well as one took place earlier on Tuesday at Sibbi Railway station, saying targeting innocent persons is unwarranted and ‘Haram’ in Shariat.
The former interior minister and the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) leader said while citing reports of investigation agencies that the TTP, LeJ and BLA claimed responsibility of each other’s terror activities.
Malik also claimed that 500 terrorists of Ghazi Force are present in Kohat.
The PPP leader said that militants of Ghazi Force are also studying in seminaries of Islamabad. He added that Bhara Kahu, an area on the outskirts of Islamabad, has become stronghold of terrorists.
