Banned group claims responsibility for attack at Pakistan army headquarters

The banned group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack near Pakistan army headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, according to local TV channel Saturday.

The group has claimed responsibility for the attack on army headquarters, the private TV GEO News reported.

In a telephone call made to the channel, member of TTP group demanded halt of operation in Pakistan's northern areas, accountability of former President Pervez Musharraf, return of the United States security firm Black water and closure of Western non-governmental organizations.

Heavy firing and explosion took place near army headquarters in Rawalpindi Saturday. According to reports, the shooting began when a carry vehicle was intercepted by army personnel at the main gate of army headquarters on Mall Road. The miscreants sitting on vehicle opened heavy indiscriminate firing on security forces. Army soldiers surrounded the vehicle and retaliated.

Army spokesman major general Athar Abbas said several soldiers were shot dead in the attack while four militants were killed.

According to an army statement, two militants are still at large.

Abbas said that the situation has been controlled and the military was assessing its losses in the incident.

Source:Xinhua