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ISLAMABAD: British security specialists arrived here heavily loaded with modern equipment late Monday to take charge of the security arrangements made locally for British Prime Minister David Cameron's day-long visit on Tuesday.
Sources said they brought with them special explosive-proof vehicles and ambulances to ensure foolproof security to the prime minister and his entourage.
The sources said Foreign Office had held a meeting with senior security officials of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Sunday and directed them to put in place unprecedented security arrangements for the visiting prime minister.
The British advance team will manage the security arrangements for their prime minister while the Islamabad police will be deployed along the route and on piloting duty of the VVIP motorcade from a long distance, said the sources.
None of the Pakistani security personnel will be included in the motorcade during Mr Cameron’s journey from the airport to the capital city and back.
Though the inner security cover will be provided by the British security personnel, outer security along the route will be assigned to the capital territory police.
A medical ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) has been put at a standby to handle any emergency during the British prime minister’s visit.
Earlier, the authorities had proposed making medical emergency handling arrangements at a Rawalpindi hospital but later the decision was changed.
However, the plane carrying the British advance security team would also be equipped with mobile hospital facilities and staff.
Strict surveillance of people has also been ordered to ensure foolproof security on the occasion.
Combing of the route will be made with sniffer dogs some time before the VVIP movement. Shooters will also be deployed at the rooftops of buildings along the route.
When contacted, Regional Police Officer Hamid Mukhtar Gondal said: “Special security measures, usually put in place for the visiting heads of state, are being made for the British prime minister.
“They will bring their own security but local police and security personnel are also being deployed,” the RPO said.
