The aftermath: Seven years later, terror returns to katcheri

Islamabad on high alert; Pindi lawyers asked to secure themselves.

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD:

The misty Monday morning brought back memories of the dark, bloody night of July 17, 2007, for the residents of Sector F-8.

In 2007, a lawyers’ rally during the restoration of judiciary movement was targeted at the same location.

At least fifteen people were killed and more than 40 injured in that incident.

The fatalities and injuries on Monday were fewer but the terror caused by the attack was no less frightening.

“I heard five gunshots and thought it might be some criminal gangs fighting,” said Advocate Chaudhry Mansoor Ahmad. But when the firing kept going, Mansoor said he knew “it was something bigger.”

Lawyers and citizens present at the courts tried to hide in different chambers as the attackers apparently moved through the narrow lanes inside the katcheri. In some chambers, bullet holes and blood stains on the floor suggested people were shot through the windows.

Residents said they spent a traumatic morning trying to make sense of the brutal attack, in which the firing lasted for around 15 minutes.

“I think the courts should be moved to another location,” said Nuzhat Jabeen, a housewife who lives in nearby Sector F-8/4. “This is not a secure area for the courts and it might bring trouble for us residents as well.”

Capital security ‘doubled’

An Islamabad police official who asked not to be named confirmed the city was on high security alert even before the incident.

“We are definitely on high alert,” the official said. “Section 144 was already in place in Islamabad, even before Monday’s incident.”

Section 144 is used as a preventive measure to preserve public order.

An hour after the suicide-bombing and firing incident at the Islamabad district courts on Monday morning, the security agencies conducted a search operation in Sector F-8.

But the search party returned empty-handed.

At least two armed gunmen who were involved in the killing of at least 11 people at the district courts were believed to have escaped. Police also combed the areas north of IJ Principal Road.

While eyewitnesses accounted for four to six attackers, a police investigation report stated four people were involved in the attack. Two fled the scene and two others blew themselves up inside the court compound.

By 10:30pm, the police and Rangers had cleared everyone from the courts and cordoned off the crime scene. Security personnel were posted around the area to guard entry and exit points.

Police officials said a “foolproof” security plan was already in place for Islamabad’s Red Zone.

“We have doubled the number of police personnel to guard sensitive buildings and the Red Zone,” said a police official.

You’re on your own

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi police urged the local bar association to hire its own security staff.

Potohar Town Superintendent of Police Haroon Joya also asked the bar president and secretary to ask lawyers to display their cards while coming to courts so that they could easily be identified.

Realising the need for stricter surveillance, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Mian Maqbool said CCTV cameras around the court premises will be installed as soon as possible. “All the walkthrough gates at the courts were tested and out of order gates were replaced immediately.”

Following the incident, the administration reviewed its security plan, tightened security around important buildings and launched search operations on Monday.

It conducted search operation along IJP Road, Adiala Road, Fauji Colony and Pirwadhai.

The police also conducted a round of the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench and closed all “unnecessary” walkways.

The SSP urged lawyers and citizens to avoid crowded areas and cooperate with police to avoid any untoward incident.

The SSP said pickets will soon be computerised to check the registration of vehicles and they will also be equipped with explosive detection sensors.

The health department also put private and public hospitals on red alert.

“We have allocated a 25-bed ward in Benazir Bhutto Hospital and set aside medicine and blood bags to be utilised in an emergency,” said Dr Asif Qadir Mir.

Bomb blasts in Islamabad since 2007

Feb 6, 2007

Suicide blast in Islamabad Airport’s car parking; bomber killed, three people injured

Jun 26, 2007

Suicide bomber explodes outside Marriott Hotel; bomber and a security guard killed

Jul 17, 2007

Suicide bomb blast at a lawyers’ rally in Sector F-8 where former CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry during the lawyers’ movement; at least 15 killed, more than 40 injured

Jul 28, 2007

Suicide bomb attack a restaurant in Aabpara; at least 15 killed, 53 injured

Jun 02, 2008

Suicide car bombing at Danish Embassy in F-6; at least six kllled

Jul 06, 2008

Suicide attack at Melody Market; at least 15 policemen killed

Sep 20, 2008

Explosive-laden vehicle blew up outside Marriott Hotel; around 800kg of RDX and TNT used; at least 54 killed, over 250 injured

Oct 09, 2008

Explosive-laden vehicle blew up in Police Lines; nine injured

Mar 23, 2009

Suicide blast at Special Branch office in Sitara Market; one policeman killed, one injured

Apr 04, 2009

Suicide attack on Frontier Constabulary camp on Margalla Road; at least eight killed

Jun 06, 2009

Suicide attack at Rescue 15 office in G-8; two killed, four injured

Oct 20, 2009

Twin blasts at the IIUI campus; at least six killed, 29 injured

Jun 13, 2011

Suicide bomb blast outside Silk Bank in sector I-8; one killed, four injured

Mar 03, 2014

Two blasts and firing at the Islamabad district courts in F-8; at least 11 killed and around two dozen injured

Source(s): News reports, The Express Tribune, South Asia Terrorism Portal

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2014.