The Post : Police alerted to terror threat, claims SSP

Police alerted to terror threat, claims SSP

Behzad U Asad | August 12, 2008

ISLAMABAD: The federal capital runs the risk of being exposed to terror attacks due to its proximity to 'troubled' areas in the NWFP but the police have been alerted to possible terrorism.

"The city is at risk but police have been warned to be extra vigilant," said SSP (Operations) Ahmed Latif addressing a press conference Monday.

SP (East) Kamran Adil, DSP Ishaque Warraich, Shehzad Town SHO Arshad Khokhar and other senior police officials were also present on the occasion.

The SSP said all possible efforts were being made to maintain law and order but some elements had infiltrated and targeted the city to get international attention.

On robbery at Centaurs Tower's investor Sardar Tanveer Ilyas's house, he said the investigation was underway and it was going in the right direction and the culprits would be soon arrested.

He said Faisal, a Danish Embassy attack suspect, who escaped from police custody was still at large. The SSP said a search was underway to trace him. He said Faisal was taken into custody by capital police officials in Karachi since investigators believed he could provide information about perpetrators of the bombing.

Ahmed Latif said the Fasial escaped near Sangla Hill a few days ago while being brought to the capital. He said Faisal was not the main suspect in the embassy bombing. "He is a person from who we glean some information about the bombers."

The SSP said police raided a hideout of Rashid Rauf, wanted by the UK, in Azad Kashmir but he managed to flee again. However, the hunt for him will continue, he added.

The SSP said Shahzad Town police had arrested seven outlaws involved in robberies recovering stolen property worth Rs 1 million, 30-tola gold ornaments, five mobile phones, Rs 65,000 in cash, four wristwatches, prize bonds, illicit weapons including one Kalashnikov, six 30-bore pistols, 33 rounds and two vehicles. The nabbed criminals are identified as Ashfaque Ahmad, Faisal Mehmood, Nazeer Khan, Sajid Mehmood, Ghani-ur-Rehman, Zainoor Shah and Babar Hussain.