ISLAMABAD: During joint operations conducted by the law enforcement agencies, over 300 suspects, including foreigners, were picked up from different parts of the capital city on Saturday.

The swoops, carried out by the police, Rangers and intelligence agencies, also led to the recovery of arms and ammunition.

A senior police officer told Dawn on the condition of anonymity that the targeted operations started on Friday night and would continue for a couple of days.

“These were intelligence-based operations conducted in view of the fresh threats from militants after the execution of two convicted terrorists,” he added.

Security agencies carry out targeted operations based on intelligence alerts

During the operations, air surveillance was also carried out of the targeted areas. Six teams of sniffer dogs, armed personnel carriers (APC), bomb disposal squads and commandos took part in the operations in Bhara Kahu, Tarnol, Golra and other rural areas of the capital city.

Besides, Afghan settlements, bus terminals, under-construction buildings and green areas were also searched.

The police officer added: “We have received a number of threats following the government’s decision to end moratorium on the death penalty.”

Most of the alerts coming from intelligence and security agencies were on educational institutions, installations of armed forces and foreign diplomats and missions.

One of the alerts was related to a military installation. It stated that militants wearing uniform of the military may attack the facility from the Margalla Hills side. The police officer said security measures had been enhanced around the installation. An alert was also issued for foreign missions and diplomats.

The police also started air surveillance of another sensitive installation which was also under threat.

A sky-cam of the district administration was being utilised to keep an eye on the routes the terrorists might use to reach the installation.

A proposal is being drafted for immediate release of funds from the government to purchase sky cams for the surveillance of the Diplomatic Enclave and its surrounding areas.

The officer said security measures around the installations under threat were further enhanced by deploying extra security personnel and establishing pickets on the roads leading towards them. Besides, round-the-clock patrolling has also been started around them, he added.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2014