ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday confirmed the Islamabad suicide attack suspects and their “handlers” have been arrested, as Pakistan grapples with the resurgence of militant attacks in the South Asian country.
On Friday, militants thought to have been on the verge of carrying out a suicide bombing in Islamabad’s government district blew themselves up as police pursued their car, killing a police constable.
The attack prompted the embassies of Saudi Arabia, the United States and Australia to announce new security adviseries for their residents living and working in Islamabad, advising caution as Pakistani Taliban (TTP) militants ramp up attacks after calling off a cease-fire with the government last month.
“Islamabad terror attack suspects have been arrested and their handlers have also been arrested,” Sanaullah wrote on Twitter.
He said the taxi driver was innocent of the crime, adding that he had been hired by the suspects.
“The militants came from Kurram Agency and stayed in Rawalpindi. We have rounded up four to five people,” he added.
Earlier today, Tuesday, the Islamabad Police released a “special security plan” for the capital. The plan includes temporary security check posts set up at 25 locations in the city and the use of CCTV cameras to record the movement of cars and people inside the Red Zone, which houses important government buildings, including Parliament House, the Supreme Court and the Prime Minister and President Offices. The Red Zone also leads into the Diplomatic Enclave where important embassies and ambassadors’ residences are located.
“Citizens are requested to carry their identity documents,” police said. “Use Excise Office issued number plates on vehicles. Legal action will be taken against illegal number plates and unregistered vehicles. Foreign nationals should carry their identity documents with them.”
Police also advised citizens to register tenants and employees at the nearest police station or service center, saying people employing unregistered local or foreign workers would be investigated.
On Sunday, the US embassy in Islamabad directed its staff to refrain from visiting a top hotel in the federal capital due to fears of a terror attack.
“The US government is aware of information that unknown individuals are possibly plotting to attack Americans at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad sometime during the holidays,” the embassy said in a statement. “Effective immediately, the Embassy in Islamabad is prohibiting all American staff from visiting Islamabad’s Marriott Hotel.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to fight militancy and said he would “soon” be chairing a meeting to discuss rising attacks in the country.