Security around the capital as offensive against Taliban continues

(19 Oct 2009) 1. Policeman holding gun in foreground, cars driving through security checkpoint in background 2. Police searching car 3. Police searching inside bag 4. Police searching back of car 5. SOUNDBITE: (Urdu) Vox pop, Adil Nasar, Islamabad resident: "We are happy with the work of the security men. They stop us and check us thoroughly. They are doing this to save our lives. We are happy and satisfied with them." 6. Close of police holding rifle 7. SOUNDBITE: (Urdu) Sayed Aqulaque, Islamabad police officer: "We thoroughly search every car, both inside and out, without thinking about our own safety. It's our mission to save people's lives." 8. Police standing guard 9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Vox pop, Sayed Akhtar Hussain, Islamabad resident: "They are trying to secure the buildings and the people, and the people are cooperating with them but it's very often you know, anyone can pass the terrorism or the bombs or whatever." 10. Mid of police stopping cars at security checkpoint with hand holding rifle in foreground STORYLINE Security was tight on Monday morning in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, while in South Waziristan Pakistani forces continued their assault on the al-Qaida and Taliban sanctuary close to the Afghan border. There were numerous checkpoints in Islamabad, especially near key government buildings, and police stopped and searched some vehicles passing through the checkpoints, in search of weapons or explosives. Authorities were on the alert for possible attacks in retaliation for the campaign in South Waziristan, where troops were fighting militants on three fronts and fighter jets bombed insurgent positions. Both the army and the Taliban have each claimed early victories in South Waziristan, a mountainous tribal region where militants have taken refuge, and which they use as a base to plot attacks on the Pakistani state and Western troops in Afghanistan. The offensive in South Waziristan is seen as Pakistan's most crucial yet against militants who are in control of a large swath of its northwest region close to the Afghan border. The insurgents have beaten back its troops there three times since 2004. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...