KARACHI GOES ON HIGH SECURITY ALERT

The government heightened security in Karachi on 30 October 2009 following "credible" intelligence reports about a possible attack in the city. The government deployed additional security officers to mosques, imambargahs (Shiite places of worship) and other religious facilities during Friday prayers. Police officers arrested more than 250 suspects -- mostly Afghans -- in raids throughout the city overnight on 29-30 October. Pakistani authorities claim to have foiled several plots in Karachi, the only major Pakistani city that has not experienced an attack in recent weeks. All cities in Pakistan have a heightened risk of attacks due to the military's ongoing offensive against Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan in South Waziristan.