Securing Margallas: Easier said than done
Recent intelligence reports have confirmed the fears expressed by the city police about threats of possible terrorist attack from Khanpur in Haripur District through unchecked and unmanned passages in Margalla hills.
The fears, shared with military authorities a few months back, point out the possibility of terrorists sneaking into the federal capital through these passages to target civil and military installations.
While the police have secured the two proper entry points from Haripur by establishing checkpoints at Pir Sohawa and Shah Allah Ditta, the E-sectors housing air force and naval headquarters still remain vulnerable to terrorist attacks due to unmanned passages through thick forests.
Last year, the police conducted a survey of Margalla hills on the insistence of the army’s high command, which showed concern over the presence of certain villages, scattered on the hills and termed them a security risk.
During the survey, at least three unmanned routes were discovered which could be used by militants to travel between Islamabad and Haripur.
“These routes lead to points in the foothills which serve as excellent hideouts for militants to launch attacks on the naval and air headquarters in E-9,” said a police official requesting anonymity.
“They (militants) can very easily retreat after the attacks since there is no military presence close to the potential hideouts and it is difficult for the police to respond to such an attack in time since the area is under military’s control,” he added.
The official stated the police suggested enhanced military presence at the identified routes if the police could not be allowed to man the area. However, their input was apparently ignored, as these routes are still unguarded.
A recent intelligence report shared with the police and city administration also reveals that the official residences of the president and the prime minister, Pakistan Secretariat which houses all federal ministries and departments and the Kohsar secretariat in Sector F-5 are also vulnerable to any Kakul-style rocket attack from certain high altitude areas in the hills.
“It is feared that certain villages in the foothills can be used by militants to carry out terrorist activities,” said a police official.
In a series of meetings attended by the chiefs of Rangers, Frontier Constabulary (FC), the city police and the administration at Chief Commissioner’s office this week, it was decided to deploy paramilitary troops along with the police at vulnerable points in the foothills of Margallas.
“But they are faced with shortage of paramilitary troops, who are already deployed on VVIP duty in the city,” said a source privy to the meetings that ended on Wednesday.
However, an official of a paramilitary force said 13 battalions of the force deployed in Karachi in the wake of last year’s law and order situation could be called back as they were stationed idle there.
Intelligence reports, based on information retrieved from suspects arrested in connection with the rocket attacks on PMA, triggered massive search operations by the police in Margalla hills, fearing presence of militants there, said another police official.
Meanwhile, the Kohsar police have established another checkpoint at Pir Sohawa. Eight police personnel supervised by a sub-inspector have been posted who would check all those entering the city. Patrolling in the area has also been enhanced, police said.
In addition to that, over 100 personnel of Rangers were redeployed in the foothills covering the sensitive Pakistan Secretariat building in the Red Zone. Earlier, these personnel were removed from their posts in Margalla hills to be deployed on VVIP duties.
The meeting decided to deploy FC personnel at the hilltops, where they would patrol the area along with the city police. Helicopters will also be used for aerial surveillance of the area, said a police official.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 2nd, 2012.
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