Islamabad on red alert following threat from Taliban

A red alert was sounded in the federal capital on 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, 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, PM'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 on 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.