Amidst heightened security concerns, sensitive institutions have issued a red alert to all post offices and courier offices nationwide following the emergence of threatening letters targeting high-profile personalities in the last few days.
Sources reveal that stringent measures are being implemented to scrutinize every letter addressed to any high-profile personality, with posting only possible after thorough inspection and verification without opening it.
The decision to escalate security protocols comes in the wake of recent incidents involving the discovery of arsenic powder in letters sent to prominent judges of the Supreme Court and Islamabad High Court. As investigations by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) continue, efforts are focused on analysing CCTV footage near post offices to identify potential suspects.
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However, nothing could be gleaned from the CCTV footage obtained so far, the sources disclosed.
Three investigation teams formed
Meanwhile, three specialized CTD teams have been formed to investigate the discovery of suspicious letters. Two teams from the Islamabad CTD, comprising eight members each and headed by a deputy superintendent of police, are collaborating with a third team from the Lahore CTD, comprising 17 personnel, to unravel the complexities surrounding the threatening letters.
One of the teams from Islamabad is questioning individuals in markets surrounding post offices, and the second is analysing CCTV footage from the Supreme Court and high court. Additionally, the Lahore CTD team is examining the surveillance footage from post offices in Rawalpindi and Sector I-10(2).
Also Read: Arsenic mixed in powder found in letters sent to SC, IHC judges: CTD
The sources further said that all the teams are providing regular updates to the registrars of the Supreme Court and high court. However, challenges persist, particularly concerning the limited availability of CCTV coverage outside post offices.
Earlier, the authorities reported progress in the investigation into letters sent to the judges of the Islamabad High Court. The powder found in the letters contains a certain amount of arsenic, it has been revealed.
The CTD disclosed that forensic analysis of the powder found in the suspicious letters sent to judges has revealed the presence of arsenic. This revelation has raised serious alarms.