Security forces resist terror attacks in major cities

ISLAMABAD: The security agencies have resisted attacks by two terrorist groups on sensitive installations in the major cities.

Sources said the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (Gandapur group) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) had forged an alliance to execute terrorist activities in the country. This joint terrorist group is identified as the Tehreek-e-Jahad Pakistan (TJP).

The security agencies have devised a comprehensive strategy to counter such terrorist activities and deployed forces at the entry points.

The sources maintained that the security forces had confined the TJP’s activities to its specific areas and blocked the points from where they could infiltrate the other major cities.

They said stringent security measures had been taken to counter any terrorist attack during the election campaign and on the Election Day.

Five forces — including Islamabad Police, Azad Kashmir Police, Frontier Constabulary, Rangers and Army — have been deployed to protect sensitive installations, including the Red Zone, IG Islamabad Dr. Akbar Nasir told The News.

“Securing Diplomatic Enclave is the prime objective of law-enforcement agencies, while the security of other important and sensitive installations on the Constitution Avenue is among the marked sensitive installations,” he added.

“A three-tier security would secure the federal capital. Pakistan Army troops would make the front security ring, followed by the paramilitary forces making the second security ring and the Islamabad police making the outer most security ring,” the IGP maintained.

Security personnel have been borrowed from Azad Kashmir, Frontier Constabulary, Rangers and Army, the IGP said, adding that 500 personnel of AJK police and 1500 reserves as extra force had been demanded from the AJK government, while troops from the Rangers, FC and military would be added to the Islamabad police to maintain security and counter any threat from the terrorist outfits.

“Providing security to the international observers, international media and other guests is among the responsibilities of the ICT police,” he added.

The IGP said the Dolphin Force would remain active as the emergency force to fight the routine crimes in the metropolis.