ISLAMABAD: The US Embassy in Islamabad on Sunday advised its mission personnel to avoid “unnecessary and unofficial” travel to the federal capital during the holidays following a suicide bombing in the city.
In a statement, the embassy said the instructions were issued in light of keeping Islamabad on high alert in view of security concerns.
“As Islamabad has been placed on red alert, citing security concerns, banning all public gatherings, the embassy is urging all mission personnel to remain vigilant throughout the holiday season,” the statement said. Avoid non-essential, unofficial travel in Islamabad.”
The embassy has instructed its staff to exercise vigilance at events, places of worship and avoid crowded places, to review their security plans, to be aware of their surroundings, to carry identification, to comply with requests from law enforcement agencies. advised to do so, and to monitor local media for updates.
In an earlier advisory, the embassy reminded US citizens that planned attacks and criminal activities often take place in crowded public places such as markets, shopping malls, hotels, airports, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, transportation hubs, It happens in schools and other areas. People gather.
“Public events, such as demonstrations and celebratory gatherings, are also at high risk of violence,” the embassy warned.
In a statement today, the Islamabad Capital Police said security in the capital has been beefed up and kept on “high alert” and snap checking has been increased in the red zone and all entrances and exits of the federal capital.
اسلام آباد کیپیٹل پولیس نے شہر میں سکیورٹی ہائی الرٹ کر دی ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/gS7BF89Hf3
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) December 25, 2022
“Citizens are requested to carry their identity cards and cooperate with security personnel in the red zone during checking,” police said.
He also said that while they are ready to ensure security in the capital, citizens are advised to call 15 if they see any “suspicious activity”.
On Friday morning, a suicide bomber in a taxi with a woman blew himself up when four motorcycle-borne policemen of the Eagle Squad stopped him in Sector I-10/4 — leading to the federal capital. Chaos ensued.
The police told the media that as a result of the explosion, one policeman was martyred while seven others including one policeman and civilians were injured. Later, a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was formed to investigate the suicide blast.
After the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) ended its ceasefire with Islamabad last month, incidents of terrorism have increased across the country, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Earlier today, seven blasts took place in Balochistan — three in Quetta, two in Turbat, and one each in Hub and Kohlu districts — killing five soldiers, including a captain, and injuring 15 others.
Last Sunday, militants captured a Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) compound in KPK’s Bannu area, which was cleared by the Pakistan Army three days later. However, four soldiers lost their lives and 10 were injured.
