The Federal government has ordered closure of all roads, leading to the government installations for traffic and declared diplomatic enclave "no go area." while Constitution Avenue will remain open for official vehicles only.
Devices and gadgets are being installed at all entry points to the capital and in the Red Zone, which will help identify any explosive-laden vehicle parked anywhere in the area, police sources said while talking to Business Recorder on Monday.
They said that these stringent measures would help make security system more effective and reduce the risk of any more suicide attacks. No public transport would be allowed to enter the Red Zone, consisting of areas of Constitution Avenue, Jinnah Avenue, Attaturk Avenue, while entry in diplomatic enclave was restricted, they said. Under new security plan evolved by the Interior Ministry, it was decided to install scanning system on five major entry points and close circuit television (CCTV) cameras, detectors and other electronic gadgets on other entry points to make sure foolproof security system for the capital, sources said.
The major entry points are Faizabad, IJ Principal Road, Golrra Morr, Convention Centre and Bhara Kahu. They said that a special cell was set up in the Interior Ministry, which would monitor regularly these CCTVs and other gadgets as a component of security measures in the capital.
Entry of heavy vehicles in the Federal capital had been banned and construction companies and other institutions, using truck services, had been asked to register their vehicles with Islamabad Police and get special permits for entry, they said. "There are clear orders to stop each and every vehicle at check points and bar the heavy vehicles from entry and any vehicle, which refuses to comply with will have its tires fired at," said the sources.
They said that the business community was asked to give numbers of their vehicles to Islamabad Police and get their special permits for entry of their vehicles. "Every heavy vehicle has to show permit and deposit its registration at entry point," they added. They said that in the past, the security plan was being reviewed weekly in a meeting, headed either by the Chief Commissioner or the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), but now the plan was being reviewed on daily basis and the Interior Ministry would be directly monitoring the security of the capital.
It is pertinent to note that these tough security measures were taken after the deadly suicide truck-bombing incident in Marriott Hotel of September 20, in which more than 60 people have been killed and over 200 injured. According to the sources, the government has also received information from intelligence agencies regarding more attacks through suicide bombers or explosive-laden vehicles.