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| December 27, 2003 | Saturday | Ziqa’ad 3, 1424 |
‘Agency had warned about security risk’
RAWALPINDI, Dec 26: The law-enforcing agencies ignored a warning from the intelligence agencies that petrol stations, specially the police welfare petrol station (PSO) falling in the president’s route, were security hazard, an official source said on Friday.
The warning came amid a heightened state of alert in Rawalpindi last Friday, the source said.
The source said a survey conducted by an intelligence agency after December 14 assassination attempt on President Musharraf’s convoy had pointed out that the petrol stations situated along the VVIP route starting from Army House to the President House, Islamabad, were security hazard.
The law-enforcing agencies, especially the Rawalpindi and Islamabad police, had been directed to take appropriate measures for president’s security during his inter-city movement, the source said. He added that the PSO petrol station situated close to the Civil Line police station and being run by the district police was specially pointed out in the report as a serious security hazard.
The PSO filling station is located just 200 yards from Leh bridge on the main road where President Musharraf escaped a bombing on December 14.
Staff Reporter adds: The provincial government would remove security loopholes, if any, said the Punjab chief minister, Chaudhry Pervez Ilahi, here on Friday.
He was talking to reporters during his visit to District Headquarters Hospital and Rawalpindi General Hospital, to enquire about the health of injured of the Thursday blasts.
He said the provincial and federal investigation teams were jointly investigating the incident.
“It would, however be premature to say as to which group is behind the blasts.”
He said all those, who were killed or injured in the incident, would be compensated. However, the amount of compensation would be announced by President Gen Pervez Musharraf.
Ruling out immediate action against any official, he said strict action would be taken against the officials, who would found negligent during their duties.
APP ADDS: The chief commissioner Islambad, Junaid Iqbal Chaudhry, here on Friday directed the police to take strict security measures in the Capital.
The police have been asked to beef up security, especially for the forthcoming Saarc Summit to be held in the Capital from January 4 to 6, he added.
He said he had also directed for effective coordination among ministries and departments concerned and to submit daily and weekly progress reports on all issues for inter and intra agency liaison and coordination.
He said security at embassies was already on high alert, however, general hold-ups and flag marches would be conducted during different timings.
Police source said following the chief commissioner’s orders, security personnel would be deployed at sensitive places, markets and parks.
A meeting of senior police officials was held to review the security measures in this regard, they added.
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