RAWALPINDI, March 1: The use of cellular telephones at the Islamabad International Airport has been banned after the government put all airports of the country on a "red alert", a security source told Dawn on Monday.

The use of mobile phones, especially at the Apron areas, has been strictly banned. The airport staff on duty have also been barred from using cellular telephones.

The security staff are taking mobile telephones from passengers at the departure lounge and returning them shortly after the passengers board on their flights.

"The state of "red alert" is always higher than the high alert," the security official said and added, "there are always intelligence reports about terror warnings whenever a state of red alert is put in place."

Another security official on condition of anonymity said the tightened security would ensure the safety of passengers. As part of the "red alert", extra security personnel have been deployed at the airport building. "We have beefed up security and put in extra manpower to ensure security inside and outside the airport," the security official said.

In another similar move, parking of vehicles near the airport gates has also been banned. The airport top management has been directed to issue a clearance certificate shortly after the VVIP movement is over in the jurisdiction of the airport.