Islamabad, Dec 28: Pakistani army troops were positioned in hills overlooking the capital Islamabad for the first time today as part of massive security efforts for next week's SAARC summit. The measure, unprecedented for any summit here, follows two assassination attempts on President Pervezi this month, the latest killing 15 people on Christmas day.
"Whatever security measures are required will be made," Pakistan military spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan told.
"Whatever number of troops is required for the security will be deployed," he added.
Sultan said army helicopters will also take part in security surveillance during the January 4-6 summit, during which Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vapayee is expected to come face-to-face with Musharraf for the first time in two years.
The heads of state and government of the seven-nation South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) which groups Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, will start arriving on January 3, foreign office spokesman Masood Khan told.
"We are giving top priority and the fullest attention to security," Pakistani foreign secretary Riaz Khokhar said.
"There will be tight and stringent security arrangements during the entire summit period." Bureau Report