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High alert in Pak after Taliban threat

Press Trust of India Islamabad, 5 August Pakistan has taken unprecedented security measures to fend off a looming threat by…

Press Trust of India
Islamabad, 5 August
Pakistan has taken unprecedented security measures to fend off a looming threat by Taliban militants to launch the “biggest attack” on some unspecified important installation, officials said today.
Joint teams of commandos from the army, navy and air force went into action yesterday and took control of important facilities like the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Rawalpindi and several key sensitive security buildings in Islamabad. Elite police units were deployed at prisons, the parliament building, diplomatic enclave, five-star hotels and other key places in the capital frequented by VVIPs. “It is the highest level of security in the country, Islamabad Police chief Sikandar Hayat said. Security was ratcheted up after credible reports that Taliban militants were planning to storm some key building and take people hostage.
An Intelligence official said militants emboldened by last week’s attack on Dera Ismail Khan jail ~ during which 252 prisoners escaped ~ wanted to created an even bigger impact with a high-profile attack.
“The secret communication revealed that, apart from other potential targets, the militants want to storm some airport, occupy passenger lounges and even destroy aircraft,” the official said. Army and police personnel have been combing the thickly forested Margalla Hills overlooking Islamabad since yesterday.

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