Red-alert in Pakistan's Punjab after reports warn of terror attacks

Lahore: The Punjab government on Thursday issued a red-alert following intelligence reports that terrorists were planning to target or kidnap foreigners and schoolchildren in Pakistan. [caption id=“attachment_2049197” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. AP[/caption] “The law enforcement agencies have been put on red-alert following intelligence reports that terrorists are planning to target or kidnap foreigners, known personalities and schoolchildren. They may also target airports, jails and offices of the security agencies,” Punjab Home Minister Shuja Kanzada told a press conference in Lahore on Thursday. He said the government had told the foreigners living in Punjab to keep a liaison with the local police regarding their movement and the airport security force and jail police had been asked to further beef up the security in and around the premises. Earlier on Thursday, a threat was made to the Government Junior Model Girls High School Rajgarh, a densely populated area of old Lahore, by unknown miscreants causing panic among the administration, police and the parents. According to the police, it seemed like an “act of mischief” but investigation has been launched. Shuja Khanzada further said although the government had enhanced security in an around schools but still there was need to do more. The Punjab Educational Department has also formed Punjab Citizens Peace Core Committee for the security of educational institutions. Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashood Ahmad said: “Peace committees will assist schools and colleges regarding steps to identify miscreant elements in the society,” he said. He further stated that the Punjab Government has terminated the orders to purchase security equipments for the government schools due to the shortage and their growing prices. “However the government will now buy weapons from a specific company instead of the open market,” he said. Heavily-armed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) gunmen had attacked an army-run school in Peshawar last month, killing 150 people, 133 of them schoolchildren. The government has asked all government and privately-run schools in the country to beef up security measures in educational institutions in the wake of the ghastly attack. PTI