ISLAMABAD, Feb 15: Security has been tightened in Islamabad in the wake of information received from intelligence agencies that four terrorists are likely to penetrate into the capital city with intentions to carry out attacks with the help of a local person, sources told Dawn on Wednesday.
The suspects – Noor Mohammad, Arungazaib, Sher Gul and Hashim – belonged to a banned militant group, said the sources, adding that one of them had black curly hair.
The four terrorists would enjoy the support of a local, Sher Mohammad, and stay with him.
Intelligence and law-enforcement agencies had started checking hotels in the twin cities for the presence of any suspects, they said.
Railway stations and bus terminals were under surveillance, they said, adding that all airports in the country were also maintaining the red alert, declared on February 6 after an armed men blew himself at the Islamabad International Airport.
They said security around important buildings, government offices, shopping centres had already been tightened, and hospitals alerted.
According to the sources, security around the diplomatic enclave is further tightened and personnel of the Frontier Constabulary and elite force have been deployed there. Checkposts have also been set up.
The rangers, FC and elite force had been conducting full dress rehearsals, they added.
Islamabad and Punjab police had established pickets at all main roads in the capital as well as exit and entry points, and vehicle were being checked strictly, they said.
In the similar move, the Foreign Office has asked foreign diplomats and foreigners to restrict their moments till further announcement.
OUR PESHAWAR BUREAU ADDS: Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Abdul Majeed Marwat has said that security has been beefed up in Peshawar after reports from secret agencies that more sabotage activities have been planned by miscreants.
Police had credible information that the suicide attacks in Islamabad, DI Khan and Peshawar were inter-linked, said Mr Marwat at a press conference at Police Lines here on Thursday.
He said same explosives and other materials were used in the three attacks which showed that groups with same ideology were behind all sabotage activities in the province. He said the police had identified a group of suicide attackers.
To a question, the CCPO said that the suicide attackers were targeting police and army so as to step up pressure on the government.
After recent blasts, policemen were being given special training so that they could thwart sabotage activities effectively, he added.
Mr Marwat said the police were coordinating with political administration of tribal areas against the criminals hiding there. He said there was no clue to the identity of the Peshawar suicide bomber on the basis of the sketches released by police.
SSP Operations Iftikhar Ahmad and SSP Investigations Qazi Jamilur Rehman were also present at the press conference.
REUTERS ADDS: Police have arrested two militants wanted in connection with deadly sectarian attacks, a senior police official said on Thursday.
Arshad Satti and Usman Chutto, both members of the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi group, were caught in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
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