Islamabad: The Pakistan Government has ordered all security-related agencies to be placed on high alert across the country following the launch of a military operation against terrorists in the North Waziristan Agency.
According to media reports, police and intelligence agencies have been asked to look for sleeper cells of the militants in slum areas in major cities of Pakistan.
Pakistan Rangers have also been deployed at all important buildings and check points, while the police presence has been increased.
Vehicles entering and exiting from cities are being checked more regularly to prevent any untoward incident.
Rangers and police vehicles are also patrolling different parts of Islamabad.
Intelligence personnel in civilian clothes have also been deployed in large numbers at sensitive installations, markets and taxi stands to keep a close eye on possible suspects.
Islamabad traffic police has also been placed on alert to check for suspect vehicles, particularly motorcyclists.
Security has been increased in sensitive areas of Karachi, while barriers have been placed in the red zone.
In Lahore and other cities of Punjab, security has been placed on high alert.
The vacations of police personnel have been cancelled. Additional police has been deployed at entry and exit points of cities in Punjab Province.
Fool-proof security arrangements have also been made in cantonment and army areas.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting in Lahore on Monday, which was attended by the Corps Commander Lahore Lieutenant General Naveed Zaman, DG Rangers, General Officer Commanding, and senior police officers.
Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said all necessary arrangements will be made to safeguard life and property of public in the province.
The chief minister said that whole nation is united to foil the nefarious designs of terrorists in the country. He said that elimination of the curse of terrorism is a must for peace in the country. He said that Pak-army is equipped with professional capabilities to cope with the challenges being faced by the country.
Apart from increasing security across the province, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government has also declared a state of emergency at government hospitals in Peshawar.
According to reports, intelligence agencies have also warned police and other law enforcement agencies about the possible hideouts of the militants and their expected targets.
