Pakistan's two airports on 'red alert'

[Abbas Ali]

By Mohammad Asghar

RAWALPINDI, Nov 12: Two airports in Balochistan have been placed on "red alert" and the remaining 34 airports in the country on a state of "high vigilance" following intelligence reports about threats of terrorist attacks, Dawn has learnt.

The airports in Quetta and Gwadar have been placed on "red alert" indicating a high risk of terror attacks, a security source said.

The alert was raised to "red" after last week’s terrorist attack on an army training camp in Dargai which left 42 soldiers dead, sending a wave of panic throughout the country.

A senior official of the Airport Security Force (ASF) said the "high vigilance" level was between the levels of "red and high alert".

Because of the state of "high vigilance", all passes have been cancelled and security checks have been strengthened at all airports, including the Islamabad International Airport.

Vehicles entering the airport’s premises are being screened by security personnel and passengers and other people are being closely watched.

The high alert was sounded by the federal government following reports that ‘five terrorists’, considered to be accomplices of the Dargai suicide bomber, were out to strike ‘somewhere in the country’.

Source: DAWN

[Abbas Ali]

Related photos:


Karachi, PAKISTAN: Pakistani airport security guards patrol in a lounge of the Karachi International Airport in Karachi, 13 November 2006. Pakistan has tightened security at all of its airports to prevent possible terrorist attacks following a wave of unrest in the Islamic republic, officials said. AFP PHOTO/Asif HASSAN (Photo credit should read ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images)


Karachi, PAKISTAN: Pakistani airport security guards check the motor bikes at the main entrance of the Karachi International Airport in Karachi, 13 November 2006. Pakistan has tightened security at all of its airports to prevent possible terrorist attacks following a wave of unrest in the Islamic republic, officials said. AFP PHOTO/Asif HASSAN (Photo credit should read ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images)


Karachi, PAKISTAN: A Pakistani airport security guard watches as his colleague inspects a car at the entrance to Karachi international airport in Karachi, 13 November 2006. Pakistan has tightened security at all of its airports to prevent possible terrorist attacks following a wave of unrest in the Islamic republic, officials said. AFP PHOTO/Asif HASSAN (Photo credit should read ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images)


Karachi, PAKISTAN: Pakistani airport security guards patrol at the Karachi international airport in Karachi, 13 November 2006. Pakistan has tightened security at all of its airports to prevent possible terrorist attacks following a wave of unrest in the Islamic republic, officials said. AFP PHOTO/Asif HASSAN (Photo credit should read ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images)

[nutsforplanes]

Interesting! Except for one, all the departures are to middle east destinations.