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2008 K2 and Broad Peak Expedition

Dispatch Eight: June 6th, 2008

Day Eight: New Security Threats in Islamabad

Update: Police have seized the vehicles in Islamabad carrying 1000 kilos of explosives.

Today is hopefully my last full day in Islamabad. The paper this morning has written that “Three vehicles laden with explosives have snuck into Islamabad Thursday posing threat to sensitive installations and some marked foreign missions, sensitive agency sources told The News. The capital city was sealed Thursday as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad suddenly put the police force on high alert and asked to barricade all the main roads leading to Islamabad, police sources say. The sources disclosed that three vehicles laden with high-intensity explosive material have managed to enter the capital city. “Some foreign missions and embassies are their target”, the sources added. “ The French K2 expedition was scheduled to depart from Islamabad International Airport to Skardu tomorrow morning, however I was informed today that we are delaying our departure for yet another day. My bags were collected by ATP last night so they could make the two day journey by road. It will certainly be nice to get up to Skardu, and get started on the eight day trek to K2 Base Camp.