Islamabad on red alert following threat from Taliban

Islamabad, Apr 10 (PTI) A red alert was sounded in the
federal capital Friday as US Embassy, UN and World Bank
offices suspended operations following threats from Taliban
commander Baitullah Mehsud to carry out suicide attacks in the
city, Pakistan Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik said.

So strong was the scare that almost all private
schools in the city closed down due to panic this morning
though there were no specific threats to such institutions.

Security was beefed up at important installations,
including the presidency, Prime Minister's House, parliament,
government offices, diplomatic missions and residences of
diplomats, he said.

Extra police and Pakistan Rangers have been deployed
to guard key installations, Malik told Dawn News channel.

Security has also been tightened at the police
headquarters and offices of intelligence agencies, which have
been targeted by suicide bombers in the past.

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud had
recently threatened to carry out two suicide attacks a week to
avenge US drone attacks in the country's tribal areas.

He also claimed responsibility for the terrorist siege
of a police training centre near Lahore and a suicide attack
on a Special Branch office in Islamabad.

The US Embassy Friday suspended visa and consular
services due to "heightened security", a spokesperson said.

The Embassy spokesperson said the services were
expected to resume on Monday. The official did not give
details though the move could be linked to strict security
arrangements made for Good Friday.

Reports said staff of the US Embassy and UN offices
had been told to limit their movements and to stay away from
busy areas. Some embassies curtailed their operations while
others closed down for the day.

Offices of the World Bank and UN closed down for the
day while the office of the Asian Development Bank was shut
indefinitely two days ago due to security concerns. Security
was also tighter than usual outside the National Assembly and
security personnel thoroughly checked all visitors.

Malik said the security plan for the parliament
building had been revamped and more security personnel
deployed around it.

Officials said visitors would have to pass through a
specific passage to go straight to the visitors' gallery and
they would not be allowed to mix with parliamentarians or to
go to ministers' chambers.

This was done following reports that parliamentarians
could be targeted by suicide bombers at a spot near the main
gate where they interact with media, officials said.

The site for media interactions is being relocated and
CCTVs are being installed all over the parliament premises.
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