All airports in the country were put on red alert and holidays of Airport Security Force (ASF) were cancelled besides further enhancing the security in and outside airports. Government has received the information from intelligence agencies regarding the terrorist strikes at airports and other places, well-placed sources at Defence Ministry told this scribe on Saturday.
All the airports are already on high security alert and after this information the security has been further tightened. They said that after receiving the information from intelligence agencies the Defence Ministry cancelled the holidays of ASF personnel. They said that all entry passes issued to different organisations working inside the airports around the country were cancelled and it was decided that no new entry passes would be issued till further order by higher authorities.
Sources said that the patrolling of the ASF personnel in and outside airports was increased and ASF officials were asked to increase their vigilance on runways and surroundings of the airports to avert any subversive act.
When asked about the problems of passengers, the Defence Ministry officials said that due to security high alert at airports passengers were already coming in a routine, there will be little problem for the people coming along with passengers, they said, adding that the entry in airport was restricted and only after photo identification people would be allowed to enter the airport.
They said that all the airlines were directed to make sure the early arrival of passengers to airport to avert any delay due to high security measures. Meanwhile, when contacted the spokesman of Interior Ministry denied that any such information was received from intelligence agencies. "I have no knowledge about any such information regarding attacks or any red alert at airports of the country", the spokesman told Business Recorder.