Major cities put under heavy security blanket after terror threat

[Naveed Yaseen]

ISHFAQULLAH SHAWL & SEHRISH WASIF
ISLAMABAD (April 26 2009): All major cities of Pakistan were put under heavy security blanket after elite intelligence agencies informed the Interior Ministry about the entry of suicide bombers from tribal areas. The intelligence agencies informed the ministry that terrorists and suicide bombers have entered mainland from tribal areas and can use vehicles for suicide attacks, informed sources told Business Recorder on Saturday.

The Interior Ministry sources confirmed that the information was received and the ministry has directed police chiefs of all four provinces and law enforcement agencies to beef up security of all the major cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Karachi, Larkana and Hyderabad.

The Interior Ministry sources said that according to intelligence information, terrorists belonging to banned extremist outfits could use cars or trucks to carry out suicide attacks.

There are threats that important buildings, government and military installations would be targeted in Punjab, sources said, adding that police and law enforcement agencies were asked to enhance the vigilance all over the country and keep constant watch on suspected persons and vehicles. The law enforcement agencies have been asked to make sure complete checking of vehicles in major cities.

Meanwhile, after receiving threats of suicide bombings, the security of the Federal Capital was put on red alert and entry to the Red Zone was completely banned for any private vehicle, besides the security in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi was put on high alert. Sources in Islamabad Police told this scribe that besides the intelligence information regarding the suicide or terrorist attacks, there was direct threat of attacks on government installations.

Police has been asked to further beef up security around Pak Secretariat, Parliament, Supreme Court, Presidency, Prime Minister House and Secretariat and foreign missions in and around the diplomatic enclave. Besides more contingents of police and rangers were also deployed at all entry and exit points. The security at Islamabad International Airport and other important installations, five star hotels has also been tightened to avert any attack.

http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=30955