Countries across Asia are stepping up security as the Olympic torch relay comes to the region this week with stops in Pakistan, India, Thailand and several other nations.
The torch will travel to Islamabad on Wednesday, where authorities have canceled a plan to run the flame down a main boulevard in the capital, and will instead run it inside a stadium.
Officials say they do not expect any large chaotic protests like those in London, Paris, and San Francisco, but changed the venue citing security concerns.
Bomb attacks are common in Pakistan, where the government is battling Islamic militants.
On Thursday, the torch will travel to New Delhi. Officials there are expected to shorten the relay's nine kilometer route and beef up security, fearing Tibetan protesters will try to disrupt the relay.
A final distance has not yet been given, but local media say the route could be shortened to only three kilometers.
Authorities in New Delhi arrested a dozen Tibetan protesters Tuesday after they held a march on the path the torch is supposed to take.
On Saturday, the torch will move on to Bangkok, Thailand and next week make stops in Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.
Australian officials say they are changing the torch's route through their capital to tighten security as large protests are expected. The torch is scheduled to arrive in Canberra April 24.
Source: By VOA News
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