Pakistani Taliban were ‘planning attacks on foreigners’

The Taliban plan "to conduct attacks against foreigners participating in the ongoing flood relief operations in Pakistan", the official was quoted as saying.

The official also warned that "federal ministers in Islamabad" might be at risk.

"According to information available to the US government, Tehrik-e Taliban plans to conduct attacks against foreigners participating in the ongoing flood relief operations in Pakistan," the official was quoted as saying on condition of anonymity.

"Tehrik-e Taliban also may be making plans to attack federal and provincial ministers in Islamabad,” the unnamed US official concluded.

The warning came as thousands fled their homes in southern coastal areas in Pakistan as floods swept down from the north.

The UN had warned that more than 17 million people had been affected by the monsoon floods, and about 1.2 million homes had been destroyed.

Some five million Pakistanis had no shelter, and urgently needed tents or plastic sheeting to protect them from the sun.

This marked the first time that the US had specifically warned about attacks in connection to the floods in Pakistan. It was not yet clear what effect this warning would have on US involvement in relief efforts in Pakistan.

The US was one of a number of countries to have sent aid and assistance to Pakistan. The US Agency for International Development said that it had so far provided around $ 150 million in support to victims of the flood.