Army Officer gunned down in Islamabad

Islamabad, Oct 22: A high ranking army officer and a soldier were gunned down in Islamabad on Thursday, Oct 22.The two motorcycle bound gunmen escaped after attacking the soldier's vehicle.

Viewed as a retaliation by the militants towards the army's offensive against Taliban in South Waziristan, the ambush is among the strings of attack in which the army headquarters, police training centers,an Islamic University and United Nations office has been targeted. Most of the schools will remain close until Sunday,Oct 25, for security reasons.

Facing strong resistance in the battles launched since Saturday,Oct 17, for control of Kotkai,hometown of Pakistan's Taliban leader, Hakimullah Mehsud, Pakistan Army officials said on Wednesday,Oct 21, that 115 militants and 16 soldiers have been killed so far.

Pakistan army commanders said that the offensive involving 30,000 troops and 10,000 millitants is expected to last within six weeks to eight weeks.

OneIndia News