Islamabad’s Red Zone entry, exit points closed until further notice

Authorities in the federal capital have temporarily closed key entry and exit points in the Red Zone due to security concerns, officials confirmed on Saturday.

The affected locations include Express Chowk and Serena Hotel’s access routes, which will remain shut until further notice, Islamabad Traffic Police said in a statement, Express News reported.

Commuters have been advised to use alternative routes, including Nadra, Marriott, and Margalla roads. Vehicles heading towards the Red Zone from Club Road can use Seventh Avenue.

The police have urged motorists to stay updated through the Islamabad Traffic Police helpline at 1915 or via their official social media platforms.

Moreover, security forces thwarted a second terrorist attack on a Punjab-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border checkpoint within a week, police officials said on Saturday.

Around 15 to 20 heavily armed terrorists launched a pre-dawn assault on the Lakhani checkpoint, using rocket launchers and other heavy weapons, according to a Punjab police spokesperson, Express News reported.

The attackers approached the post in small groups from multiple directions but were detected through thermal imaging cameras.

Alert personnel responded immediately with machine guns and mortar fire, forcing the assailants to retreat.

“There are reports of significant militant casualties, though exact figures remain unconfirmed,” the police spokesperson added.

Six days earlier, a similar attack on the same checkpoint was repelled.

The operation was led by Regional Police Officer Dera Ghazi Khan Captain (Retd) Sajjad Hassan Khan, with backup teams from the district police quickly reinforcing the post.

Punjab Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar commended the forces for their swift action in preventing the attack. Police have so far successfully repelled 19 similar assaults on border checkpoints.