By IANS,
Islamabad: A top defence panel of Pakistan has decided to utilise “all means” to eliminate terrorists and their sanctuaries from the country, a media report said.
The Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) decided in a meeting held Wednesday to take out terrorists.
“Security, defence and law-enforcement agencies will be authorised to use all means necessary to eliminate terrorists and militants,” reported Dawn quoting a statement issued by the prime minister’s office.
The meeting was held to discuss the security situation following Sunday night’s terror strike at a heavily-fortified key naval base in Karachi. The 16-hour long siege at PNS Mehran ended Monday afternoon.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani presided over the meeting which was attended by ministers, the three services’ chiefs and the head of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the media report said.
Gilani said Pakistan was entering a defining phase in the fight against terror.
“National security is the foremost priority and all arms of the government will ensure that terrorists’ hideouts will be destroyed using all appropriate means.
“The national consensus on eliminating terrorism will be implemented through a well-coordinated and comprehensive strategy,” the statement said.
There have been a series of terror attacks across the country after Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was gunned down May 2 by US commandos in Abbottabad city. Pakistan Taliban and the Al Qaeda had vowed revenge.