Red Zone sealed ahead of Gilani’s appearance in Supreme Court
Traffic police say they have made alternate arrangements to divert traffic from the sealed routes.
ISLAMABAD:
Police and paramilitary troops were mobilised on Sunday evening before Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s appearance before the Supreme Court on Monday (today).
The Red Zone was sealed at midnight for all except the official staff of government offices. “The Red Zone will remain sealed for every type of traffic till the Prime Minister leaves the Supreme Court building. No processions or public rallies will be allowed near the Red Zone,” said a senior police official.
The security apparatus in the city has been on high alert ever since two 6mm mortars from Nilore in the outskirts of Islamabad were recovered a few days back. Sources in police said at least one of the mortars resembled the ones used in the rocket attack on the Pakistan Military Academy in Abbottabad last month. The recovered mortars were diffused by the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) of the Islamabad police. A BDS official said one of the mortars was unused, while the other one had been fired but did not explode. However, he added, it could be used to prepare other explosive materials.
On Sunday, the police deployed extra reserves at different points around the Red Zone, with particular focus on the routes to be used by PM Gilani to go to the SC.
No unauthorised person will be allowed inside the premises of the courts, police said. The Islamabad Traffic Police and the city police said they have made alternate arrangements to divert traffic from the sealed routes.
The interior ministry directed National Crisis Management Cell to monitor the security arrangements and keep its hotline alive round the clock. The cell will use CCTV cameras to monitor the security situation.
Moreover, as long-term security measures, the city administration and the ministry of interior say they have made elaborate arrangements for the security of the capital city from the side of the vulnerable Margalla Hills.
In addition to 25 checkpoints of Rangers at different points, 25 more pickets will be established in the hills, said an official of the administration. Special motorcycle patrolling squads of police will be deployed on multiple tracks in the Margallas with a particular focus on Jandola village.
The village is situated at the top of the sensitive E-9 and E-10 sectors, housing Air and Naval headquarters. An earlier survey by the police identified hidden forest routes through the Margallas providing easy access to the two headquarters. Police and paramilitary troops will be deployed there to ensure round-the-clock monitoring, administration officials said.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th, 2012.
Police and paramilitary troops were mobilised on Sunday evening before Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s appearance before the Supreme Court on Monday (today).
The Red Zone was sealed at midnight for all except the official staff of government offices. “The Red Zone will remain sealed for every type of traffic till the Prime Minister leaves the Supreme Court building. No processions or public rallies will be allowed near the Red Zone,” said a senior police official.
The security apparatus in the city has been on high alert ever since two 6mm mortars from Nilore in the outskirts of Islamabad were recovered a few days back. Sources in police said at least one of the mortars resembled the ones used in the rocket attack on the Pakistan Military Academy in Abbottabad last month. The recovered mortars were diffused by the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) of the Islamabad police. A BDS official said one of the mortars was unused, while the other one had been fired but did not explode. However, he added, it could be used to prepare other explosive materials.
On Sunday, the police deployed extra reserves at different points around the Red Zone, with particular focus on the routes to be used by PM Gilani to go to the SC.
No unauthorised person will be allowed inside the premises of the courts, police said. The Islamabad Traffic Police and the city police said they have made alternate arrangements to divert traffic from the sealed routes.
The interior ministry directed National Crisis Management Cell to monitor the security arrangements and keep its hotline alive round the clock. The cell will use CCTV cameras to monitor the security situation.
Moreover, as long-term security measures, the city administration and the ministry of interior say they have made elaborate arrangements for the security of the capital city from the side of the vulnerable Margalla Hills.
In addition to 25 checkpoints of Rangers at different points, 25 more pickets will be established in the hills, said an official of the administration. Special motorcycle patrolling squads of police will be deployed on multiple tracks in the Margallas with a particular focus on Jandola village.
The village is situated at the top of the sensitive E-9 and E-10 sectors, housing Air and Naval headquarters. An earlier survey by the police identified hidden forest routes through the Margallas providing easy access to the two headquarters. Police and paramilitary troops will be deployed there to ensure round-the-clock monitoring, administration officials said.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th, 2012.