12 April 2004	Monday	21 Safar 1425

ISLAMABAD, April 11: The administrations of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad beefed up security around key western interests, UN organizations and government buildings on Sunday following intelligence warning of a terrorist attack. "Additional security personnel have been posted in the twin cities," an official said.

In response to a question, the official said the increased security measures were also meant to cover Tuesday's cricket match between Pakistan and India to be held in Rawalpindi.

The official said the law enforcement agencies were directed to be extra vigilant following a bomb blast in Karachi on Saturday evening. The incident occurred when an Indian artist Sonu Nigam was performing in the port city.

According to security officials, initial intelligence suggested that an extremist religious organization was behind the terrorist attack in Karachi. Senior officials of the interior ministry said Harkatul Mujahideen al Alami was considered one of the suspects in the Karachi incident and its sleeper cells could act elsewhere in the country.

However, the official said the government was vigilant to the threat and taking all steps to root out the menace of terrorism. The government recently arrested a number of militants who had provided valuable intelligence, he said.

Sources said a number of religious organizations and Islamic groups were furious over the government's support to the US and the ongoing military operation in Pakistan's tribal areas.

Officials said security alert in the twin cities was raised following investigation of a number of arrested suspected militants who have provided vital information including plans for terrorist attack which helped the government to continue its crackdown on terrorists and their sympathisers.

Moreover, official sources said the National Crisis Management Cell of the interior ministry had made an elaborate and valuable report on patterns of terrorism in the country.

The recent travel advisories and warden notices issued by the British High Commission in Islamabad and American embassy have warned of possibility of terrorist attacks in the country.

"As security has tightened at official US facilities, terrorists and their sympathisers have demonstrated the willingness and capability to attack more vulnerable targets, including facilities where Americans are generally known to congregate or visit, such as hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, or outdoor recreation events," said a warning recently issued by the US embassy.

The security warnings by the US embassy further said there was "evidence of a potential threat to American citizens and other westerners in Pakistan from terrorists posing as street vendors or beggars on busy streets". About the mode of attacks which the terrorist could carry out, the advisory said terrorist actions may include suicide operations, hijackings, bombings or kidnappings.