RAWALPINDI, Sept 17: The security alert level at Benazir Bhutto International Airport was raised to ‘red alert’ during late yesterday night due to intelligence received by the federal government that Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) would attempt to kidnap major political figures, VIPs, or prominent religious leaders of Shia or Sunni sects at the airport. The alert level was brought down Monday morning, it has been learnt.

The federal government’s National Crisis Management Cell — citing intelligence reports that TTP network would attempt to kidnap major political figures, prominent religious leaders of Shia or Sunni sects or any VIP on his or her arrival at the airport or while departing, intimated the airport authorities to trigger tighter security at the airport, the source said.

The source said that security personnel, including Pakistan Rangers, Airport Security Forces and intelligence staff were placed on the highest level of alert ‘red alert’ yesterday night.

A senior security official speaking on condition of anonymity said all of the senior security officers remained vigilant at the airport yesterday night as scrutiny of airport baggage was increased, identification checks of passengers was tightened, examination of travel documents at the entry points was being made by the security personnel.

He further said that the security alert level was brought down to ‘high alert’ level on Monday morning as everything was brought back to normal.

Ranger personnel had already been deployed at the airport to further tighten the security in order to avert any terror threat.

In addition, the security personnel had also been directed to “shoot on sight” any person who was spotted entering into restricted area of PAF base or airport. —Mohammad Asghar