Fear grips Sector F-8 residents

[LRE]

Fear grips Sector F-8 residents



Saturday, July 12, 2008
Obaid Abrar Khan

Islamabad

Residents have confined themselves to their homes and shopkeepers are avoiding opening their shops due to a fear that gripped the area soon after alleged reports of a threat of the suicide attacks in the courts premises.

According to a survey conducted by ‘The News’ most of the residents remained in their houses and few of them were seen walking in or around the premises of the district courts.

Wajid Khan, a resident of F-8 Markaz told this scribe that his family members have moved to Lahore for a week when they came to know about the threat of the suicide attack in the district courts.

“My house is very close to ‘kutchery’ and anything can happen here. I myself would leave this place tomorrow morning,” he added.

Rabia Irfan, a housewife, said that her children were perturbed over the threat of the bomb blast and even they did not sleep during nighttime due to fear that always haunted them.

“My husband will not go to office today (Saturday) as his office is located in F-8 Markaz,” she added.

Another resident Saleem Ahmed said that the authorities were only concentrating on the security of the district courts, but the suicide bomber could strike at any place in this sector. The police should cover the whole sector as staying in this sector today was life-threatening because anything could happen despite strict security arrangements,” he added.

Muhammad Farhan, said that he was a university student and living as bachelor in a rented flat.” My parents have been continuously calling me up and forcing me to come back home after the threats of the suicide attack in the area.

A shopkeeper Fazal Khan said that his four salesmen returned back to their houses while the shopkeepers also thought it advisable to avoid visiting the market amidst prevailing intense situation.

He said no doubt police have taken all necessary security arrangements but most of the shopkeepers have decided to close down their shops today (Saturday).

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=123683