ISLAMABAD, July 10: The government tightened security in major cities and at sensitive sites immediately after gunbattles between law-enforcement agencies and the Lal Masjid militants ended on Tuesday.

According to sources, security along the Pak-Afghan frontier was beefed up while areas along borders between Punjab and the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) and tribal areas were under strict surveillance to stop the entry of supporters of the Lal Masjid militants, they added.

Foreign nationals, especially Chinese, have been advised to restrict their movement and avoid going to public places and gatherings without adequate extra security, the sources said.

They said that major cities, including the provincial capitals, had been put on high alert to avert any untoward incident.

Police and paramilitary forces have been posted at police stations, sensitive installations, places of worship and airports.

Security precautions included the setting up of checkpoints around major government offices and foreign companies. People entering government buildings were being searched.

Public areas, including shopping centers, cinemas, parks, restaurants and hotels are being watched.

Personnel of intelligence agencies have been asked to keep an eye on all seminaries and the movement of activists and supporters of religious organisations is also being monitored.

All vehicles coming from the NWFP and tribal areas and in places near occupied Kashmir would have to undergo strict checks.

All state-run hospitals in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, including the Combined Military Hospitals, were put on alert after Monday midnight.

Relatives of victims were seen protesting after they were stopped from entering hospitals. Journalists were also not allowed to go inside the hospitals.