ISLAMABAD, June 6: Security forces have foiled a major terrorist plot and detained six people –three suicide bombers and three “handlers”, and seized a large quantity of explosives from Rawalpindi, according to Rahman Malik, the adviser to the prime minister on interior.

The adviser said on Friday three vehicles laden with 1,100 kilogrammes of explosives were also seized.

About their possible targets, the adviser said: “Their target was obviously Islamabad.”

Due to the red alert declared in the capital, Rahman Malik added, the suspects had been forced to hide in thickly-populated Dhok Kala Khan locality in Rawalpindi.

The adviser did not identify the suspects or the group they worked for.

But analysts dismissed the assertion that the ‘red alert’ had got anything to do with security threats. They said the government had erected barriers and deployed paramilitary forces at important places to stop lawyers from entering the capital.

Mr Malik said that the explosives had been defused and the suspects were being interrogated.

Police said security agencies had cordoned off Dhok Kala Khan and had initially found a car laden with 300kg of explosives.

During the operation, intelligence officials detained a suspect who eventually led them to his accomplices.

Later, they seized two other vehicles carrying 300kg and 500kg of explosives, the police said.

MEETING: The adviser presided over a meeting at the interior ministry on Friday night and discussed the law and order situation in Islamabad. The meeting was attended by Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah, senior officers of the ministry, chief commissioner and Islamabad’s inspector-general of police.

The adviser directed the administration to beef up security at all diplomatic missions and international organisations.