Islamabad on red alert for possible terrorist attack

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Pakistani officials placed the capital, Islamabad, on red alert after they received information of possible terrorist attacks on Pakistan Air Force headquarters. Action was taken quickly, with Air Force and Navy helicopters seen above Islamabad shortly after the officials were notified.

"Current information suggests that Al-Qaeda and affiliated organisations continue to plan terrorist attacks both in the region and beyond, and they may focus efforts to conduct attacks in the period between now and the end of August,” a United States State Department statement said.

Pakistani security forces and policemen are maintaining high surveillance in the area as search operations are conducted.

“This thick security blanket has been laid over the capital to head off any untoward incident,” Senior Superintendent of Police Operations, Dr Rizwan told GEO News.

The threat of an attack remains high and searches continue after a number of suspects were detained as a result of an operation in Margallah Hills. The area remains under surveillance, with all inns, hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, Afghan refugee settlements and slums subject to scrutiny.

Warning has been spread to the U.S., where Americans have been urged to take extra precautions overseas. The State Department identified subways and rail networks as potential danger areas, because of their history in previous terrorist attacks. This information accompanies the red alerts placed on Europe, South Asia, Africa and the Middle East earlier this year.

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Sources

Saima Mohsin. "Officials: Pakistan on alert for possible attack" — CNN, August 5, 2013
"Islamabad on red alert after intelligence warns of attack on PAF HQ" — Geo TV, August 4, 2013
Associated Press. "US issues global travel alert over al-Qaida threat" — KHON2, August 2, 2013
"Worldwide Caution" — Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State, February 19, 2013

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