Terror threat: aerial, ground surveillance begins

In the backdrop of terrorists’ threat, the law enforcement agencies handed 10 sensitive points of Margalla Hills to Rangers for security, while an Interior Ministry’s helicopter launched surveillance over important hills on Tuesday.
The aerial surveillance of the hills would continue for one week, Pakistan Today has learnt. A source in the Interior Ministry said that 10 peaks of Margalla Hills have been handed over to Rangers for surveillance. The intelligence agencies on Monday had warned the Islamabad police that terrorists might launch missile attacks at important installations of the city from Margalla Hills in the same manner as the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), Kakul was attacked last week.
Some terrorists were arrested by the intelligence agencies from Taxila for their alleged involvement in the attack at PMA, Kakul on Friday. They told the agencies that two of their aides were hidden at the Margalla Hills and they had a plan to target sensitive installations of Islamabad from the hills.
Meanwhile, the police on Tuesday conducted combing on Margalla Hills. A senior police officer confirmed that 10 important points had been handed over to Rangers, while a new check-post was set up at Pirsohawa to keep any eye on suspects.
Talking about the helicopter surveillance, the officer said, “The Heli would continue its surveillance operation over two important points, Ramal Shah village to Shah Allah Dita village and from Shakarparian to BaniGala.”
Another source hinted at a serious loophole in security plan of police as there was no check post at the pavement coming from Margalla Hills, which passes through Clinger village and ends near the Air headquarters.
He feared that this route could be misused by any miscreant to enter the city. The source said that in past, there was a permanent picket at this path but later, due to unknown reasons, the police removed the picket.
Meanwhile, a police team led by City deputy superintendent police (DSP) on Tuesday noon conducted combing at GoKena and Klar village as well. According to sources, the police high-ups also directed the City superintendent police (SP) to deploy police officials at Margalla hills for patrolling on foot.
Meanwhile, Islamabad Chief Commissioner Tariq Pirzada held an important meeting to review the security of the city. The meeting was attended by Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Bani Amin, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Amir Ahmed Ali and others.