ISLAMABAD, Oct 12 Following the attack on GHQ, Red Alert has been sounded in the Red Zone and the area partially sealed to ensure foolproof security for important installations, sources told Dawn here on Monday.

The sources in police said that the city police in meetings with the officials of interior ministry and capital administration had chalked out a new strategy to secure the Red Zone.

According to the plan, intelligence agencies would maintain 24-hour vigil around the Red Zone.

The city police along with the Rangers and Frontier Constabulary would lay multiple cordons around the Red Zone and important installations.

Troops of Ranger and FC were deployed at the skyline of Margalla Hills its forest and foot. Besides, personnel of the paramilitary troops were also detailed in the wooded area in and around the Red Zone and sensitive installations.

The sources said that snipers of Anti Terrorist Squad were also deployed at the roof-top of the sensitive installations and buildings adjacent to them. Besides, sniffer dogs, experts in sniffing explosives were also given to law enforcers deployed at checkpoints in and around the Red Zone.

Well equipped Quick Response Units of city police were also put on stand by around the Red Zone to respond in case of any emergency.

The personnel at the checkpoints were directed to search each and every vehicle, including green number plates, law enforcers, and armed forces and ministers, MNAs, personnel of law enforcement and security agencies before allowing them to enter Red Zone.

The patrolling teams were directed to conduct search and demand identification of pedestrians moving in the area.

Besides, over dozens of new checkpoints were also set up on different roads leading towards the Red Zone.

The security steps also include the deployment of paramilitary troops at the main entry points of the capital, besides sandbag bunkers.

A senior police officer when contacted said that the steps had been taken to plug in the loopholes identified in a meeting held to review security .