Taliban might launch retaliatory attacks across Pakistan, says Gilani

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Saturday that terrorists might carry out retaliatory attacks in the country as they have suffered heavy losses in the wake of the military offensives in North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

"There are intelligence reports that terrorists can carry out attacks in any part of the country as reaction," Gilani told reporters in Lahore, the capital of Punjab province.

"But terrorists cannot hold us hostage," Gilani said, adding that the operation against the militants is progressing well.

"We order operation where the writ is challenged, and when a parallel government is established. Armed forces assist the civil administration as and when they are required," he said.

When asked by a reporter about the US drone (pilotless aircraft) attacks in the Pakistani tribal areas, Gilani said the American strikes were counter productive and affected the anti-terror strategy.

"We are hopeful the US would review its policy. If these attacks would have benefited, we would have supported it," he said.

At least 20 people have been killed in two separate bomb blasts in northwestern Peshawar city this week, raising concerns of the safety of people in other Pakistani areas.

Media reports said over 1,000 Taliban militants have been killed in the offensives launched by the Pakistan Army in the Swat Valley and in other areas of NWFP.