Thursday, April 23, 2009

Taliban takeover puts Islamabad on red alert



A senior Pakistani official says Islamabad will not allow Taliban insurgents to cross the Margala hills surrounding the capital.

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Asadullah Faiz said late Thursday that government security forces will not allow the Margala hills to be crossed.

Also, Islamabad Police Chief Tahir Alam said all possible steps were being taken to ensure the security of the people in the capital city.

Troops and extra rangers have been deployed at Margala hills and the checkpoints around Islamabad.

The developments come after Taliban militants armed with heavy weapons reportedly took control of a district near the capital of the nuclear-armed country.

The armed militants entered the Shangla District on Thursday. Shangla is the third district after Swat and Buner where the Taliban have entered without any resistance by the government forces.

The captured districts are located only 100 kilometers (60 miles) away from Islamabad.

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