No extraordinary security arrangements were observed in the capital after Sunday’s attack at the Pakistan Navy airbase in Karachi, rejecting the claims of beefed up security arrangements by the capital police force.
Like at countless occasions in the past, the capital police issued a statement that it had put the security on high alert after the terrorists attacked the PNS Mehran. Despite the lofty claims, routine checking was conducted at police checkposts throughout the day and no extra effort on part of police officials was seen.
The checking was per routine at the city’s exits and entry points as well. A few motorists who arrived in Islamabad from other cities said police had conducted routine checks, adding that policemen were only question people with beards and those wearing coarse clothes.
However, a police spokesman said the security was at high alert across the city and security at all sensitive installations across the capital, including the Parliament House, Presidency, Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Supreme Court and Pak-Secretariat blocks, had been enhanced considerably. He said the number of police constables deployed at various major markets had also been increased and they had been strictly directed to keep a close eye on the suspicious people and vehicles.
Islamabad Inspector General of Police Wajid Ali Durrani held a special meeting after the attack in Karachi, strictly directing all superintendents of police to monitor security arrangements round the clock. The spokesmen said security at all international and government education institutes in various parts of the city had also been increased.
Officials manning checkpoints had been strictly directed to search each and every vehicle before allowing it to enter the city’s Red Zone, he said.
The officials said the Bomb Disposal Squad would be on call 24 hours a day and all public places, especially parks and playgrounds, would remain under strict vigilance and security blanket.
