March, 23 2005	Wednesday	12 Safar 1426

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RAWALPINDI, March 22: Army and police personnel jointly launched a massive search operation in the parliament lodges and collected huge quantity of weapons from the possession of parliamentarians, a security source told Dawn on Tuesday. The search operation will continue till Wednesday morning during which sniffer dogs and explosive detection deceives are being used to ensure fool-proof security in the federal capital, the source said.

He added that the parliamentarians staying in the lodges had been directed to surrender their weapons, possessed either by their security guards or by themselves. The move is aimed to ensure fool-proof security during Pakistan Day parade. The weapons seized by the army and police would be returned to the parliamentarians after the parade.

As part of the security, aerial surveillance of the federal capital and its surrounding areas have also been started by the army, while army pickets have also been established at the top of the hills in Islamabad.

The source said, around 3,000 army and police personnel have either been deployed or are in Islamabad and its surrounding areas for security purpose.

High security state has been declared at the Pakistan Day parade venue and other sensitive installations, the source said, adding the use of mobile phone has also been banned. Leaves and posting-transfers of the capital police personnel have also been cancelled till further orders. The security will also remain tight at the Islamabad Airport. There will be a massive police presence in Rawalpindi as well.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday a two-day visit to Pakistan, will be the chief guest in the Pakistan Day parade. Army personnel have been deployed at all exit and entry points while random checking of vehicles have also been started.