Prez, US embassy at risk

Pak intelligence agencies warn terrorists have plans to attack in near future

ISLAMABAD: Terrorists could launch a fresh wave of attacks in Islamabad, targeting President Asif Ali Zardari’s residence and the US embassy, Pakistani intelligence agencies have warned. Terror masterminds have drawn up plans to hit Zardari House, the presidency, parliament house and the US mission in the near future, sources in the Interior Ministry told The News daily.

The strikes could come after a special session of parliament discussing the government’s anti-terror policy concludes.

The agencies have said that terror groups are awaiting the outcome of the Parliament debate and what the lawmakers decide on continuation of the army offensive against Taliban and other extremist groups in the troubled NWFP.

“It has been learnt that terrorists have planned to initiate a second wave of bombings in Islamabad. This will be subjected to a decision by the joint session of parliament to induct additional troops into the tribal areas,” the newspaper quoted a report submitted to the interior ministry as saying. “The terrorists may use car bombs to attack the US embassy, the presidency or the Zardari House,” the report said, referring to Zardari’s private residence in a posh residential colony in the heart of Islamabad.

A beef up of security cordon around the targeted building has been suggested by the intelligence and security agencies. Zardari convened the special session of parliament so that lawmakers could be briefed on the security situation. The government is hoping to evolve a homegrown anti-terror policy by a national consensus following a debate in parliament.