Islamabad on High Alert..! Major Terror Attack Plots Foiled

Pakistan’s capital Islamabad has been put on high alert with authorities closing all entry and exit points to the ‘Red Zone’ for an indefinite period following a major attack on a check post on the Punjab–Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) border by 15-20 militants in the early hours of Saturday, reports Yes Punjab News.

However, the details of the attack and casualities if any are not known yet. 

The Federal capital — especially the Red Zone, where there are important government buildings, including the President’s House, Prime Minister’s House, National Assembly of Pakistan, Senate of Pakistan, Foreign office, the diplomatic enclave, Supreme Court of Pakistan and other important offices — has been sealed with and all routes leading to it also shut down till further notice.

The threat alert was sounded hours after security forces posted at the Lakhani check post on the border of Punjab and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, came under a major terror attack, earlier in the day.

As per police sources, around 15 to 20 heavily-armed terrorists launched a pre-dawn assault on the checkpoint, using rocket launchers and other heavy weapons.

“The attackers approached the post in small groups from multiple directions but were detected through thermal imaging cameras. The security personnel responded immediately with machine guns and mortar fire, forcing the assailants to retreat,” say reports quoting a Punjab Police official.

“We have successfully thwarted the militants’ attempts through the vigilance of our officers. These elements will not succeed in their nefarious designs,” said Anwar in his statement.

In addition to the increased security in Islamabad, heightened alerts have been issued across the Punjab province and the federal capital to prevent further attacks.

The security checkpoint has been targetted by the militants multiple times, including twice this week. Several attempts were made to occupy the checkpoint last year also.

The attack on the Lakhani checkpoint comes after multiple previous attempts by militants to target the location. According to Usman Anwar, Director General of Punjab Police, this is the 19th time that the security forces have successfully repelled an assault on border checkpoints, reports another Pakistan news portal Munsif News 24X7.

“Our vigilant officers have ensured that these elements fail in their nefarious designs,” Anwar added.

Since the attack, security alerts have been issued across the province along with the federal capital.