ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: Law-enforcement agencies have tightened security at the Iraq embassy and its ambassador’s residence in Islamabad after intelligence of a terrorist attack, Dawn has learnt.

A senior police official confirmed that there was a terror threat of targeting the Iraq embassy and its ambassador’s residence. “The threat was received at around 1.30pm on Saturday after which extra deployment has been made,” he added.

Armed Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel and police commandos have been deployed around the embassy and at the Iraqi ambassador’s residence in F-6/3.

Security has also been beefed up in Rawalpindi in the light of intelligence that terrorists might spread panic in downtown Raja Bazaar, a security source said and added: “The city is under a terror threat from a terrorist group.”

As an added security measure, the police in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have also launched a crackdown on baggers and the people staying in hotels and inns without any purpose.

A senior police official said scores of people belonging to other cities, who were staying in the local hotels and inns, and could not justify their presence in the city had been picked up and sent to the Adiala Jail. The number of arrested people is said to be over one hundred and would go up as the police raids were continuing.

Security has also been beefed up at sensitive places and important installations. Sand bunkers have already been set up outside police stations and at the ministry of defence building in Rawalpindi.