Pak deploys anti-terror force in Islamabad; to also fight crime

Islamabad: Pakistan on Monday deployed a special anti-terror force, comprising paramilitary troops and the police, to beef up the security of the federal capital, government said.  The Rapid Response Force has been entrusted to maintain the law and order and check crimes here round-the-clock. The force, that comprises paramilitary troops and the police, has been given powers to carry out specific operations against the terrorists and criminals, an official statement said. The decision was taken after meeting chaired by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who reviewed the security situation of the capital. The city has been divided into 13 zones for security purpose and Rapid Response Force will patrol through all day and night. The interior minister told the meeting that these patrolling vehicles should not only check terrorism-related activities but also robberies and other crimes. He asked the authorities to publicise in the media that any law and order related complaints by the public would be promptly responded to from an emergency telephone number. A joint control room has been established for surveillance and monitoring of these vehicles as well as to reinforce the Rapid Response Force. Nisar said that police posts in Islamabad should be strengthened to improve the stop and search by police to check the vehicles and people entering the capital. Islamabad has been rocked by several terrorist attacks this year. At least one person was killed and another injured in two back-to-back bombings on Saturday. PTI