Two ‘terrorists’ killed in security drill

DERA GHAZI KHAN: Teams of the Counter-Terrorism Department, the Elite Force and other law enforcement agencies participated in a mock drill at the railway station in Dera Ghazi Khan on Friday.

The participants took out two ‘terrorists’ in the drill and an ‘injured’ policeman was taken to a hospital by Rescue 1122 following the exercise.

Sniffer dogs were used to clear the railway station. Talking to newsmen, DSP Hafiz Khizar Zaman said the exercise had been organised to test response of counter-terrorism personnel to security threats. He said it was important to evaluate preparedness of security forces in this regard.

“This means that departments involved in counter-terrorism efforts must be able to accurately indentify serious threats to security. They should be able to coordinate on raids and searches. Most importantly, they should be prepared to act in an emergency.” The DSP said security in the district had been heightened for Eid holidays. “We have been asked to remain vigilant in view of credible reports about terrorist attacks during the Eid break.”

“Policemen have been deployed around imambargahs, mosques and other congregation sites,” he said. The DSP said government installations had also been secured. “We are committed to ensuring peace and security in the district,” the DSP said. He expressed satisfaction on the performance of the departments in the exercise.

“They were tipped-off about a terror attack at the railway station,” he said. “They responded according to the standard operating procedure in a timely fashion.” “They searched the premises, evacuated citizens and neutralised the threat,” he said.

The DCO urged security officials to remain vigilant and not deviate from the protocol established by the government.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 2^nd, 2016.