Three bullet-proof cars for Vajpayee arrive: Full-dress rehearsal at airport
By Mohammad Asghar & Baqir Sajjad Syed
RAWALPINDI, Jan 1: The Indian government on Thursday air-lifted three bullet-proof BMW cars into Pakistan as part of their own security measures for Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee
during his stay in Islamabad in connection with the Saarc summit commencing from January 4.
The vehicles, to be used by the Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee during his stay in the federal capital, were received by an official of Indian High Commission and representatives of foreign office at Islamabad Airport.
The cars, airlifted aboard Indian Air Force C-130 planes, were later, driven away to the Indian High Commission where they would remain parked till the arrival of Mr Vajpayee.
Earlier a five-member advanced security team for Premier Vajpayee arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a full-dress rehearsal for the reception of heads of governments arriving here for the Saarc summit was held at the Islamabad Airport.
Contingents of armed forces took part in the rehearsal. This rehearsal for guard of honour would now be followed a security drill on Friday. A similar security rehearsal has also been planned for the federal capital on Friday in which rangers, pare-military forces, Punjab Constabulary personnel and 7000 policemen will take part.
It has been further learnt that 2500 police personnel have been drafted in from Gujranwala and Sargodha districts to augment security arrangements in Rawalpindi particularly around the airport. Anti-Terrorist Squad of Islamabad police had been trained by US experts and equipped with the sophisticated US-made guns.
The readiness of Rawalpindi police was boosted by the induction of sophisticated explosive detectors, metal detectors and anti- riot gears. These equipment have been specially procured for the Saarc summit.
District Police Officer Moravat Shah said: "Rawalpindi police have been entrusted the task of airport and VVIP route security." District Nazim Raja Tariq Kiyani on Thursday reviewed the preparations at the airport.
Talking to this reporter, he said, Rawalpindi district government had completed the task of decoration of the airport. He said flags of Saarc countries had been hoisted at the airport.
Welcome banners had been displayed both inside the premises of the airport and outside. Besides, the airport has been decorated with ornamental and flowering plants particularly the sunflowers.
Civil Aviation Authority officials told Dawn that arrangements for readjustment of flights have been made. No passenger flights would be landing at Islamabad Airport from 6am to 11pm on Saturday and 2am to 10am on Sunday. International flights scheduled to operate from Islamabad Airport during these timings have been shifted to Lahore.
