The presence of terrorists groups in shanty settlements in the federal capital has become a major concern for the local police. And even though search operations have been conducted following tip-offs, no major crackdown has been achieved which lets criminals come back to these settlements again and again.

According to unofficial data, there are at least 28 shanty towns in the federal capital providing shelter to more than 200,000 people. Of these, only 10 shanty settlements have been legalised and the residents are provided basic utilities by the civic agency.

But the structure and quality of life remains the same across all of them. Small, cramped and hastily-built residential quarters are usually let out on a monthly basis to people from across the country – some in search of employment, and others who work long hours as workers in government and private sector and in local houses as maids, servants, drivers, cooks and security guards.

No questions are asked as the only requisite is payment on time, with the rent ranging from Rs1,500 to R3,000 per month. Each landholder is reported to own 200 to 300 small quarters, and with the large turnover rarely ever tracks who is living in one of his establishments.

Even the neighbours lose track of the comings and goings of those next door.

Thus, criminals, extremists and terrorists easily camouflage themselves among the permanent residents before and after hitting their targets time and again.

Among all such settlements, Mehrabad village spread over two residential sectors G-12 and F-12 has gained the most notoriety.

It is believed to house over 100,000 people, and is considered a haven for terrorists.

A few months back, armed terrorists had assassinated a serving brigadier on a service road in G-11, close to Mehrabad. Some eye witnesses claimed that the assassins had come out from the direction of the village in the morning.

“Police has combed Mehrabad many times on the reports of intelligence agencies but the area is so big that the suspects managed to flee from other sides during the operation,” said a senior police official of Ramna Police Station in Sector G-11.

He claimed that at least two police force reserves, consisting of more than 100 policemen, were part of the operations but clearly given the wide expanse of the slum area, the number was too small.

On his part, the senior police officer believes that if such operations were conducted on a periodical basis it will definitely help them overcome criminal elements and reduce incidents of theft, robberies, snatching and kidnapping in Islamabad and adjoining areas.

To get rid of the slum areas would certainly not be a wise decision as they provide low-cost accommodation to thousands of innocent people, but the police and security apparatus has to come up with a set of guidelines that landlords should abide by.Foremost should be that these landlords do not give accommodation on rent to any stranger. And whenever they let out their property, a complete record of tenants must be made available to the local police station which can then compile a complete database of the slum dwellers. Harsher measures and periodical checks should then be taken after this.