Security on high alert after suicide attack

* Another 700 Rangers and 250 intelligence officials deployed at sensitive places of twin cities

By Ali Hassan

ISLAMABAD: Security has been put on high alert in the twin cities following Wednesday’s suicide attack at a Muharram procession near a Rawalpindi imambargah.

“Security has been beefed up for the 8th, 9th and 10th of Muharram after the suicide attack,” a security official told Daily Times.

The holiday of police personnel and officials have been cancelled and they have been directed to remain on duty to prevent any untoward incident.

The official said that security personnel have been deployed at all important intersections of the federal capital and Rawalpindi to keep a check on vehicles. “Over 700 more Rangers and 250 intelligence agency officials were deployed on Thursday at sensitive places of the two cities, especially at imambargahs, mosques and churches,” the security official said. The official said that G7 and G9 imambragah, Shah Allah Ditta Muhrram possession, I10, I8, Chak Shahzad and Tarnol have been declared “most sensitive” for security arrangements. Private and public buildings in Zero Point, G7/2 and Blue Area have also been declared sensitive.

Special Quick Response Force (QRF) teams have also been constituted to provide immediate assistance to citizens.

Falcon squads and police commandoes, including contingents of women police, are also patrolling in the two cities to provide security cover to citizens.

As many as 170 majalis and 13 Muharram possessions will be held in Islamabad while 750 majails and 23 possessions will be held in Rawalpindi today (Friday). According to a capital police’s strategy, 600 policemen will patrol various sectors of Islamabad. The SPs concerned will monitor security arrangements and patrolling teams in their respective areas.

More than 200 policemen have been deployed at Bari Imam Shrine while more walkthrough gates and scanners have been installed there. “Islamabad Police Inspector General (IGP) Bani Amin Khan has received directives from the Interior Ministry to make extraordinary security arrangements in the federal capital,” the official said.

Meanwhile, Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Rao Muhammad Iqbal Khan directed senior police officials of the district to ensure foolproof security at Muhrram gatherings and congregations.

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