ISLAMABAD, July 15: High alert has been declared in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad in the wake of suicide attacks in parts of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and threats issued from Al-Qaeda and the local Taliban, sources told Dawn here on Sunday.
They said the attacks could be in reaction to the government’s operation against Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa. However, rangers, frontier constabulary, elite force, Islamabad and Punjab police have been told to beef up security measures in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Heavy deployment of rangers has been made at the Margallas to avoid any terrorist attack from the hillside at key government installations, foreign missions and embassies.
Likewise, large number of Islamabad and Punjab police personnel have been deployed at all exit and entrance points of the twin cities to avoid entrance of miscreants. Pickets have been set at the points where personnel are checking people coming from outside specially from the NWFP.
Security at sensitive installations including worship places, airports, key government buildings and foreign missions have been beefed up.
The Police Lines Headquarters in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Punjab Constabulary Headquarters Rawat and Sihala Police College have been declared sensitive places, where heavy deployment of law enforcement agencies have been made.
Similarly, public areas, including shopping centres, cinemas, parks, restaurants and hotels have been put under surveillance.
In Rawalpindi 12 sensitive areas have been declared red- zone, which include Aamar Cowk, Chaklala Air Base, Rawal road, Airport road, Cantonment areas.
Plainclothes security personnel have been deployed at sensitive installations. Police patrolling have also been increased in public places.
Foreign nationals have been advised to restrict their movements and avoid going in public places and gatherings without adequate security, the sources said, adding that the six state- run hospitals of the twin cities have been placed on high alert.
ATTOCK: Security has been enhanced in the Attock district that is home to a large number of defence installations, it has been learnt.
Pakistan Army vehicles mounted with machines guns have intensified patrols around the premises of sensitive organisations like Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Kamra, Pakistan Ordnance Factories in Sanjwal and the Ghazi Barotha Hydropower Project.
Sandbag bunkers manned by heavily armed soldiers have also been established at all entry points leading to the PAC Kamra.
All SDPOs, SHOs and officials of other law-enforcement agencies have been directed to intensify patrolling in their respective jurisdictions.
The Attock police have also started collecting complete details of Afghan refugees, activists of religious organisations and other anti-social elements.
Meanwhile, security has been tightened for foreigners working on various projects including the Ghazi Barotha Hydro-power Project, PAC Kamra and in oil exploring companies in the Attock district.
TAXILA: Law-enforcement agencies have made strict security arrangements for the 86 foreigners, mostly Chinese nationals, associated with different public and private sector originations in Taxila and Wah Cantonment.
Besides, security around 14 seminaries, sensitive places and tourists spots has also been tightened. The sources said of the 86 foreigners 32 were associated with the University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila; 45 worked in a sensitive origination, two each were in an educational institute near Wah and at the Christian hospital, four worked in another private hospital and one was in Taxila.
