Police conduct search operation for TTP facilitators in Islamabad's Red Zone
A senior police officer confirmed the operation, saying it was aimed at checking possible presence of suspicious or criminal elements in the area, however maintained that it was a routine operation to screen the area.
The Red Zone hosts important government buildings and foreign missions, including the parliament house, supreme court building, ministries’ offices, residential colonies for federal ministers, judges and bureaucrats besides President and Prime Minister’s residences and offices.
Talking to The Express Tribune, a police official said, “The threat shared with the police indicated that TTP were planning to target sensitive locations in red zone and this time they would use their contacts, who might be present in the government colonies and establishments,” quoting the content of the intelligence intercept.
No definite target of the terrorists was identified; however, sources said all diplomatic missions particularly the United States of America (USA) embassy were appraised of the threat and security in and around the diplomatic enclave was enhanced.
Secretariat police were also screening different government residential colonies present in the red zone. A police officer said the screening and search operation will also be extended to nearby posh sectors of F-6 and F-7.
No arrests were made till the filing of this report.
Deputy Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan, Faisal Karim Kundi also chaired a meeting to review security arrangements inside and around the parliament house.
The meeting decided to bar entry of armed guards into the precincts of the house and only people possessing passes, issued by the assembly secretariat, will be allowed inside while security escorts of ministers and other VVIPs will be parked at D-Chowk, outside the limits of the parliament house.
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