Pakistan's massive security clampdown went into top gear in Islamabad for the forthcoming SAARC regional summit as army helicopters buzzed low over the capital, which resembled a city under siege.

A Pakistani soldier keeping a vigil ahead of the SAARC summit in Islamabad. [AFP]

Around 10,000 paramilitary troops and police are manning a heavy security blanket around normally sleepy Islamabad. Roadblocks have been erected at all entry points to the city where passers-by were being frisked and vehicles checked for bombs.

A so-called "red zone" covering a radius of around two kilometers (just over one mile) has been established around the two main hotels where heads of state and senior delegates are staying, and the Convention Centre where opening and closing ceremonies will be held.

"It is one of the most stringent security operations in the history of the country," said a senior security official on Friday.

Anti-aircraft guns and troops have been positioned in the Margalla hills overlooking the city while popular hiking and jogging tracks have been declared out of bounds.

All schools, colleges and religious seminaries will remain closed for a week.

Security for the SAARC summit became the top concern after two attempts to assassinate President Pervez Musharraf in the adjoining city of Rawalpindi.

The last attack came on Christmas Day when two suicide bombers rammed their explosives-laden vehicles into Musharraf's motorcade, killing 16 people but missing the president.

Refusing to be scared off but taking no risks, India sent two bullet-proof limousines and a squad of its crack 'Black Cat' commandos for Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, a Pakistani security official said.

Vajpayee is due to arrive Saturday evening aboard a special plane.

Officials said similar limousines had been arranged by Pakistan for the five other visiting heads of government.

Islamabad has been meticulously spruced up in a costly face-lift to the tune of nearly five million rupees (88,000 dolllars) while the police have been supplied with brand new vehicles, surveillance equipment and special electronic detectors.

Sniffer dogs trained in detecting explosives are prowling the gardens of hotels and conference venues and other sensitive places.

Around 500 journalists from around the world will converge on the city but authorities have banned tape recorders or mobile phones from the imposing Convention Center, where Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali will open the summit on Sunday morning.

"We have foolproof security for the major event," Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat said.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) groups Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Close

Today's Top News		Top International News
+Amendment to constitution to clarify private rights ( 2004-01-04) +NASA rover touches down on Mars ( 2004-01-04) +Virus variation found in suspected SARS case ( 2004-01-02) +Safety supervision teams sent out across country ( 2004-01-04) +Negligence blamed for gas blowout ( 2004-01-02)		+Pakistan security clamp down for SAARC moves into top gear ( 2004-01-04) +NASA rover touches down on Mars ( 2004-01-04) +Nigeria says it has put down Islamic sect ( 2004-01-04) +Egyptian charter jet crashes, killing 148 ( 2004-01-04) +UK warns of more flight disruption in terror war ( 2004-01-04)