Security has been heightened across Pakistan to fend off a looming threat by the Taliban terrorists to launch the “biggest attack” on some unspecified important installation, officials said on Monday.
Joint teams of commandos from the army, navy and air force went into action on Sunday and searched important places, including the Margalla hills, overlooking the Prime Minister’s Office, the Presidency and parliament buildings.
Elite police units were deployed at prisons, parliament, diplomatic enclave, five-star hotels and other key places in the capital frequented by VVIPs. “It is the highest level of security in the country,” Islamabad Police chief Sikandar Hayat said.
Security was ratcheted up after credible reports that the Taliban terrorists were planning to storm some key building and hold people hostage.
An intelligence official said terrorists emboldened by last week’s attack on Dera Ismail Khan jail, during which 252 prisoners escaped, wanted to created an even bigger impact with a high-profile attack.
“The secret communication revealed that apart from other potential targets, the terrorists want to storm some airport, occupy passenger lounges and even destroy aircraft,” the official said.
The army and police personnel have been combing the thickly forested Margalla Hills overlooking Islamabad since Sunday, city police chief Hayat said.
“We have a very specific threat this time and our forces are searching the hills,” he said.
He confirmed that there were reports the terrorists could attack some “sensitive” buildings in Islamabad.
The threat emerged after a global warning of possible al Qaeda attacks, which forced the United States and Western nations to temporarily close their missions in some countries.
