Taliban threat: Islamabad security ramped up
Authorities take measures in the backdrop of intelligence regarding potential attack bids.
The message, from a Taliban commander namely Waleed bin Talib, read “we have achieved some of our objectives in the attack on DI Khan jail, but for achieving bigger objectives we need to take action where the ‘big bosses’ sit”. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Intelligence agencies in Pakistan have warned that extremists seem to have planned attacks on high-profile Pakistani targets. These targets include the parliament and headquarters of Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force. Authorities are taking all possible measures in the backdrop of information regarding potential attacks.
The intelligence wing of the military recently intercepted a message between two commanders of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. The message, from a Taliban commander namely Waleed bin Talib, read “we have achieved some of our objectives in the attack on DI Khan jail, but for achieving bigger objectives we need to take action where the ‘big bosses’ sit”.
Sources in the interior ministry said that ‘big houses’ of Islamabad were mentioned in this communication and it was said that teaching a lesson to those who meet in these houses was essential. Sources said that by ‘big houses’ they meant the parliament and navy and air force headquarters.
The extremists had adopted a similar plan of action in the DI Khan jail attack about which the intelligence agencies had warned in advance. Their reports had said that initially unrest will be created in jails before the attacks. The reports added that once jail authorities will get busy using all resources to handle the unrest within, the jail will be raided to take advantage of the weakened security arrangements.
Eyewitnesses said that when extremists raided the jail, there was no report of any unrest inside.
Waleed bin Talib’s message
Security in Islamabad has been put on high alert after Talib’s message was intercepted. The police and the security agencies are carrying out search operations in the Margalla hills. The interior ministry has directed the Islamabad police and administration to keep a close watch on the facilitators of the extremists as well. According to Superintendent Police Sadar Circle Jamil Hashmi, the police was already deployed at Margala hills but now police commandos and the security forces have also been deployed.
Security arrangements have been beefed up at Benazir International Airport and no vehicle is allowed to enter airport premises from 11 pm to 6 am.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 6th, 2013.
Intelligence agencies in Pakistan have warned that extremists seem to have planned attacks on high-profile Pakistani targets. These targets include the parliament and headquarters of Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force. Authorities are taking all possible measures in the backdrop of information regarding potential attacks.
The intelligence wing of the military recently intercepted a message between two commanders of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. The message, from a Taliban commander namely Waleed bin Talib, read “we have achieved some of our objectives in the attack on DI Khan jail, but for achieving bigger objectives we need to take action where the ‘big bosses’ sit”.
Sources in the interior ministry said that ‘big houses’ of Islamabad were mentioned in this communication and it was said that teaching a lesson to those who meet in these houses was essential. Sources said that by ‘big houses’ they meant the parliament and navy and air force headquarters.
The extremists had adopted a similar plan of action in the DI Khan jail attack about which the intelligence agencies had warned in advance. Their reports had said that initially unrest will be created in jails before the attacks. The reports added that once jail authorities will get busy using all resources to handle the unrest within, the jail will be raided to take advantage of the weakened security arrangements.
Eyewitnesses said that when extremists raided the jail, there was no report of any unrest inside.
Waleed bin Talib’s message
Security in Islamabad has been put on high alert after Talib’s message was intercepted. The police and the security agencies are carrying out search operations in the Margalla hills. The interior ministry has directed the Islamabad police and administration to keep a close watch on the facilitators of the extremists as well. According to Superintendent Police Sadar Circle Jamil Hashmi, the police was already deployed at Margala hills but now police commandos and the security forces have also been deployed.
Security arrangements have been beefed up at Benazir International Airport and no vehicle is allowed to enter airport premises from 11 pm to 6 am.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 6th, 2013.