ISLAMABAD: In a shocking incident that has exposed major security lapses, unidentified individuals have stolen electric cables from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) headquarters, located in Islamabad’s heavily guarded Red Zone.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the security arrangements in an area that houses sensitive installations, including foreign embassies and key government buildings.
According to sources, the Secretariat police have registered a case against unknown suspects under Section 380 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). However, no arrests have been made so far.
A police officer revealed that the preliminary investigation suggests the thieves accessed the Red Zone through a rainwater storm drain near the NAB building. From there, they managed to reach the power generation unit of the premises, cut the cables, and escaped without detection.
Although the stolen cables are not of significant monetary value, the breach has highlighted flaws in the security protocols meant to protect the high-security area.
This is not the first time such an incident has occurred in the federal capital’s fortified zones. In March 2023, communication cables were stolen from police offices inside the Diplomatic Enclave. A year later, in March 2024, unidentified thieves targeted the National Telecommunication Corporation’s communication cables in the same zone.
The latest incident underscores the need for a thorough review of security measures in Islamabad’s sensitive areas to prevent further breaches.
