Pakistani authorities have seized more than 2,700 grenades from a man suspected of plotting terrorist attacks in response to US-led attacks on neighbouring Afghanistan.
The capture of the deadly arsenal came as the country braced itself for a massive backlash over the US action and mounting reports of civilian casualties inside Afghanistan.
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Anti-US protesters in Peshawar
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Officials said they believed the grenades were intended to be used for terrorist attacks in major cities.
President Gen Pervez Musharraf met with provincial governors, police chiefs and other top security officials to review preparations to contain nationwide demonstrations scheduled to start today. He has vowed to crack down on any attempts to stir up unrest.
Protests that erupted when the US air strikes began on Sunday have left 10 people dead and scores injured already this week.
More than 300 Islamic radicals have been taken into custody or placed under house arrest.
Undeterred by the crackdown, thousands of Islamic militants are descending on Quetta today in preparation for what hardline religious parties predicted would be a massive anti-US show of force.
Quetta has seen the worst violence this week with five people killed and another 28 injured in rioting on Tuesday.
AFP