Security Briefing – 16 April 2009

Security in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, was heightened on 10 April amid fears of a potential Taliban siege of the city. Many businesses, government offices and diplomatic interests were closed and additional security forces were deployed in the city, particularly around the parliament building and diplomatic area. Fears of a potential attack had grown after four suspected terrorists were arrested on the night of 9 April. Although no attack eventuated, the city continues to be at extreme risk of terrorist attack.

Current Situation

A bomb at the Sitara Market in Islamabad killed two police officers on 23 March while six people were reportedly killed in an attack on a Frontier Constabulary position in the city on 4 April. Taliban fighters have now advanced their combat zones to Bajaur, just 153 km (95 miles) west of Islamabad, while reports claim that militias have moved into villages in the Buner region, 98 km (61 miles) from the capital.

President Asif Ali Zardari is coming under increasing domestic and international pressure as his government struggles to exert control in many parts of the country. Concerns continue to mount about Pakistan’s ability to counter rising levels of militancy with the scale and frequency of attacks increasing. Baitullah Mehsud, a Taliban militant commander, has threatened that two suicide attacks will take place per week in response to an increase in the frequency of US drone attacks against suspected al Qaeda positions in Pakistan’s tribal regions.

International Operations Group - Advice

No part of Pakistan is safe from terrorism at present and, although terrorists predominantly target the authorities, locations frequented by foreign personnel are at high risk. Companies should ensure that their personnel exercise a heightened state of vigilance and take extra security precautions in Pakistan.

Personnel should keep away from government installations, uniformed personnel, security facilities and crowded areas in towns and cities (including places of worship, markets and areas frequented by westerners) as much as possible.

Major international hotels frequented by foreigners are potential targets for Pakistani terrorist attacks. A bomb at Islamabad’s Marriott Hotel in September 2008 left 53 dead and 250 injured. As such, personnel should avoid loitering around major hotel lobbies and ensure that their chosen hotel has adequate security procedures.

All business-related travel to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, North West Frontier province, North and Western Balochistan, border regions, the city of Peshawar and the Swat region should be avoided and companies with interests and personnel in these regions should exercise extreme caution. Non-essential business travel to Quetta should also be avoided.

International Operations Group - Assistance

International Operations Group provides intelligence and crisis management support for corporate and individual clients across the globe. We are able to provide support and advice to organisations with personnel and interests in Pakistan and other areas where critical incidents occur.

Please email us at intel@interopsgroup.com or telephone us on +61 2 8003 3933 for additional information or confidential support.

For more information on our fee-based intelligence updates or bespoke reporting, please email Rob Stevenson - rob@interopsgroup.com. Rob can also be telephoned on +61 [0] 420 244 909.