Threat alert: Interior ministry warns of terror attacks

Interior ministry warns that six male and six female terrorists affiliated with the Taliban have entered the county.

GILGIT:

The interior ministry has sent a threat alert to the governments of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), Azad Jammu Kashmir and the four provinces, warning them that six male and six female terrorists affiliated with the Taliban have entered the county to carry out terrorist activities.

“The terrorists can target minority groups in the country,” read the letter sent by the interior ministry to the chief secretaries this week.

The letter also hinted at the possibility of abduction of foreigners and officials working with non-governmental organisations by terrorists. In view of the underlying threats, the governments have been asked to remain alert to abort such attempts.

“The police is on high alert and a number of wanted criminals have been nabbed,” said Superintendent  Police Ali Zia.

“One of the terrorists arrested on his arrival in Gilgit had come to implement ‘some plans’ in the region. But fortunately he was nabbed before he could carry them out,” Zia said. All law enforcement agencies were on high alert to foil any untoward incident in G-B, he added.

Ali Sher, the deputy inspector general of police said that the government received threat alerts from time to time and made security arrangements accordingly. “Whatever options we have, we opt for them to ensure peace,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2013.