January 12, 2002	Saturday	Shawwal 27, 1422

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

RAWALPINDI, Jan 11: In view of the rising tension between New Delhi and Islamabad, anti-aircraft guns have been installed on the rooftops of important buildings in Rawalpindi; federal lodges and the MNA hostel in the federal capital have been evacuated, government officials said on Friday.

The officials said anti-aircraft guns have been fixed on the rooftops of almost all government college buildings in Rawalpindi and overhead water reservoirs situated in different city areas.

Troops have also been deployed around the Islamabad airport runway and patrolling of sensitive areas has also been intensified.

An army official told Dawn that the anti-aircraft guns would remain in place until conditions are normal again.

The positioning of guns on important buildings is an indication that Pakistan is prepared to give India a “befitting reply” if it should opt for war.

Also, army patrol vehicles are a regular sight in the city.

Officials said that federal lodges and the MNA hostel in the federal capital have been evacuated to accommodate civil defence officials.