22:30
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Islamabad: It is extremely scary, but some highly-placed sources privy to classified information provided by the intelligence agencies after the vehicular attack on the Rangers Headquarters in Karachi, warned that the Red Zone of the federal capital could face a big disaster due to poor security measures taken by the Security Division.
There is no constraint on suspicious vehicles around sensitive buildings along Constitution Avenue, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diplomatic Enclave, as the Red Zone remains vulnerable between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., an intelligence agency report feared.
A proper taxi stand has been established adjacent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hardly 200 feet from the Gate-2 of the Diplomatic Enclave. Tens of private taxicabs enter into the Red Zone without any security checking and remain parked in the parking lots of sensitive buildings, including the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The private cab drivers hunt for the people, who come to get their documents attested from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to send abroad or to apply for visas, at the parking lot adjacent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Tens of private cabs, parked along Constitution Avenue and parking lots adjacent to the Foreign Office, pose serious threat to officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomats, who often come to attend meetings there.
An intelligence agency report alarmed that terrorist outfits could target sensitive installations, including the Diplomatic Enclave, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other sensitive buildings housing at Constitution Avenue, as explosive-laden vehicles could enter into the Red Zone to hit its target.
The intelligence agencies had warned in October the law enforcement agencies of the federal capital that a terrorist outfit has planned to hit vital buildings in the Red Zone, including Diplomatic Enclave, five-star hotels and important political personalities of the country.
The intelligence agencies had indicated that suicide bombers and explosive material have been transported to Islamabad, sources said.
The intelligence agencies had warned that other sensitive installations or important political personalities would also be targeted. The intelligence agencies had disclosed that terrorists have already carried out a survey of the location and placed the required material (probably explosive material) at or around the target area, source maintained.
Earlier, the intelligence agencies have repeatedly indicated the security threats hurled by terrorist outfits and issued warnings many a time that sensitive installations along Constitution Avenue could be targeted any time, but the authorities responsible for maintaining security in the Red Zone, showed no interest to make counter strategy to ensure complete protection of the Red Zone and setting up foolproof security structure to counter such threats.
Constitution Avenue, declared the most sensitive road of the federal capital, is the only passageway for VVIPs, including the president, prime minister, chief justice of Pakistan, army chief and other heads of armed forces.
While, the interior minister, in the light of the intelligence reports, has repeatedly warned the law enforcement agencies that the Islamabad Capital Territory, particularly the sensitive area of Red Zone, was facing serious threats from terrorist outfits, asking law enforcement agencies to remain alert.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Bani-Amin Khan, when contacted by this correspondent for his comments, said that the Islamabad Police were covering almost all aspects of security to secure the metropolis. He said that the Islamabad Police have hunted down many terrorists before they hit their targets. He said that the anti-terrorist forces and police have been put on high alert after the vehicular attack on the Rangers Headquarters in Karachi.
When this correspondent tried to contact Deputy Inspector General of Police (Security Division) Ahmad Mukarram, responsible for the security of the city, he didn’t call back despite dropping of many messages by this correspondent in his office. This scribe was told that he was busy in a meeting till the filing of this report.
There is no constraint on suspicious vehicles around sensitive buildings along Constitution Avenue, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diplomatic Enclave, as the Red Zone remains vulnerable between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., an intelligence agency report feared.
A proper taxi stand has been established adjacent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hardly 200 feet from the Gate-2 of the Diplomatic Enclave. Tens of private taxicabs enter into the Red Zone without any security checking and remain parked in the parking lots of sensitive buildings, including the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The private cab drivers hunt for the people, who come to get their documents attested from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to send abroad or to apply for visas, at the parking lot adjacent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Tens of private cabs, parked along Constitution Avenue and parking lots adjacent to the Foreign Office, pose serious threat to officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomats, who often come to attend meetings there.
An intelligence agency report alarmed that terrorist outfits could target sensitive installations, including the Diplomatic Enclave, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other sensitive buildings housing at Constitution Avenue, as explosive-laden vehicles could enter into the Red Zone to hit its target.
The intelligence agencies had warned in October the law enforcement agencies of the federal capital that a terrorist outfit has planned to hit vital buildings in the Red Zone, including Diplomatic Enclave, five-star hotels and important political personalities of the country.
The intelligence agencies had indicated that suicide bombers and explosive material have been transported to Islamabad, sources said.
The intelligence agencies had warned that other sensitive installations or important political personalities would also be targeted. The intelligence agencies had disclosed that terrorists have already carried out a survey of the location and placed the required material (probably explosive material) at or around the target area, source maintained.
Earlier, the intelligence agencies have repeatedly indicated the security threats hurled by terrorist outfits and issued warnings many a time that sensitive installations along Constitution Avenue could be targeted any time, but the authorities responsible for maintaining security in the Red Zone, showed no interest to make counter strategy to ensure complete protection of the Red Zone and setting up foolproof security structure to counter such threats.
Constitution Avenue, declared the most sensitive road of the federal capital, is the only passageway for VVIPs, including the president, prime minister, chief justice of Pakistan, army chief and other heads of armed forces.
While, the interior minister, in the light of the intelligence reports, has repeatedly warned the law enforcement agencies that the Islamabad Capital Territory, particularly the sensitive area of Red Zone, was facing serious threats from terrorist outfits, asking law enforcement agencies to remain alert.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Bani-Amin Khan, when contacted by this correspondent for his comments, said that the Islamabad Police were covering almost all aspects of security to secure the metropolis. He said that the Islamabad Police have hunted down many terrorists before they hit their targets. He said that the anti-terrorist forces and police have been put on high alert after the vehicular attack on the Rangers Headquarters in Karachi.
When this correspondent tried to contact Deputy Inspector General of Police (Security Division) Ahmad Mukarram, responsible for the security of the city, he didn’t call back despite dropping of many messages by this correspondent in his office. This scribe was told that he was busy in a meeting till the filing of this report.
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