Stringent security measures were taken in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Friday, in spite of already high security alert, to avert any possible terrorist attack during 'Juma' congregations. Security around mosques and imambargahs and shrines was tightened by deploying huge contingents of police and law enforcement agencies personnel both in uniform and civil dress.
While body search and checking of the people was conducted at entry points of mosques and other places of worship. When Business Recorder contacted the Interior Ministry to ask about any terror alerts, the sources told that there are threats of terror strikes and this is reason that country wide high alert was announced.
They said that high alert of security apparatus has started paying dividends by declining the number of attacks and arrest of the suicide bombers before they detonate their devices. Security in twin cities is already at high alert particularly after suicide attack at Rescue 15 and due to increasing threats of terrorist and suicide attacks, sources in Islamabad Police told this scribe on Friday.
There are many reasons of enhancing the security such as terror alerts issued by intelligence agencies to Interior Ministry, ongoing budget session of both Houses of the Parliament, they said, adding that this was the reason that blockades were erected in every nook and corner of Islamabad to check the movement of suspected vehicles and individuals.
The people have largely favoured the stringent security measures taken by the law enforcement agencies around the mosques and they extended full co-operation to the security agencies. "It is imperative to deploy security personnel outside mosques to give the worshippers complete peace of mind," said Riaz Ahmed a resident of G-6 sector of Islamabad.
He said that under present circumstances it became difficult for people to come out of their homes to offer prayers in mosques, as mosques are being targeted. Another worshiper Muhammad Amin (70 year old retired government employee) told this scribe that he is a regular worshiper and never offered prayers at home, but now increasing terrorist attacks are forcing him to say prayers at home.