islamabad - A general holdup was witnessed yesterday, following a threat alert that some important government and private installations and educational institutions in the twin cities could be the possible target of terrorists.

Several universities in the federal capital were cordoned off early in the morning and overall security in the twin cities was further boosted to avert any mishap. Security at National University of Modern Languages (NUML), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Quaid-e-Azam University, National Defence University (NDU) and Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) remained on high alert as the personnel of law-enforcing agencies combed the adjacent areas. However, no suspect was arrested from the scene. Pak Secretariat, Red Zone and city’s main hotels were also put on high alert following the alert, reportedly issued by the intelligence agencies.

According to the sources, the intelligence agencies had warned of possible planning for terrorism activities by RAW of India and National Directorate of Security (NDS) of Afghanistan in certain areas of the twin cities.

The law-enforcing agencies cordoned off the universities and security was deployed at the campuses.

Eyewitnesses said that no individual was allowed to enter or leave the campus. “Not even the employees were allowed to enter the varsities in their vehicles,” the source added. Vehicles were also kept away from Pak Secretariat in the Red Zone. A search was also conducted at NUML and QAU late in the Tuesday night, the sources added.

Following the security alert in Islamabad, buildings, hotels as well as the office of the Election Commission of Pakistan were evacuated for searching by the law-enforcers. Sector H-8 which houses AIOU was seen almost paralysed due to the search operation and the candidates appearing in FBISE exams faced difficulties in reaching the examination centres in time.

The law-enforcement agencies also conducted search operation in the suburban areas of the federal capital including Tarnol, Bhara Kahu and Rawat. The prisoners were also not brought to the Islamabad courts in connection with hearing of the cases due to the extraordinary situation.

The security will be beefed up around the educational institutions and police commandos and Rangers would be patrolling the roads leading to the institutions in the coming days, said the local police.

In Rawalpindi, Benazir Bhutto International Airport and adjoining areas, Fauji Towers, Agriculture University, cantonment and a hotel in the cantonment area were believed to be the possible target of the terrorists.

The sources said that mobile towers were switched off in some of the Rawalpindi areas early in the morning as the law-enforcers combed the localities around Pirwadhai for suspects.

Last month, the United States had advised its citizens to avoid the area around Islamabad’s Marriott Hotel in wake of an imminent terror threat.

A suicide truck bombing on Marriott Hotel on September 20, 2008 had killed over 54 people and injured dozens others. Several Americans were among the dead but Pakistani casualties were in majority.