Pakistan ups security on Taliban attack threat at border points with India

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has stepped up security after a terror alert warned of possible Taliban attack at border crossing points with India on the country's Independence Day on August 14, officials said today.

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab province has sent a memo to the chief secretary that Taliban were planning to target Wagah or Ganda Sindh border crossings between August 13 and 15.

It claimed that two suicide bombers had been tasked by Mualana Fazlullah, the fugitive chief of Taliban who is hiding in Afghanistan, to attack Independence Day parade at the border points.

"Extreme vigilance and heightened security measures are suggested to avoid any untoward incident," the CTD said.

Both crossings are close to Lahore.

In 2014, at least 55 people, including children and security personnel, were killed and about 200 others injured in a suicide blast at Wagah.

An official of home department said that security has already been increased after a suicide bombing at a hospital in Quetta on August 8 in which 74 people were killed around 72 people were injured.

"We take special security measures for the Independence Day and all alerts and suggestion by the intelligence agencies are considered and security have been provided at relevant points," he said.