Preventive measures: Malakand DIG cancels Eid holidays of policemen

Directs district officers to enhance security in all public places.

MINGORA: In order to avoid any untoward incident during the last days of Ramazan and Eid, Malakand Range DIG Abdullah Khan has cancelled holidays of policemen for Eidul Fitr.

In a press release issued from the DIG’s office, on Tuesday, Khan said the measure has been taken to thwart any possible incidents, adding that more constables will be deployed in sensitive areas. The DIG has also directed district police officers to chalk out a detailed plan to beef up security in all public places, mosques, shopping plazas, markets, check points and bridges. All entry and exit points of Malakand division will be strictly monitored.

DIG Khan has also directed police officers to ban aerial firing during Eid in their districts. Moreover, guards at schools, colleges, banks and other sensitive buildings will be alerted to avoid any possible attack during the holidays.

Women constables have also been directed to provide protection to women from pickpockets in shopping plazas and markets. Meanwhile, patrolling in important bazaars at night will be increased.

The DIG said criminals on the run often visit their homes during Eid holidays and proper plans and monitoring systems should be in place at all police stations to nab them.

Security will also be on high alert in Swat, Buner, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Chitral and Shangla during the holidays, with extra policemen deployed for people offering Eid prayers at mosques and open grounds.

Keeping check: Elum cleared of militants says IGP 

The police have cleared Elum mountain of militants, said Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa IGP Nasir Durrani at the inaugural ceremony of the newly-constructed police lines at Kabal tehsil in Swat on Tuesday.

“A combined base post has been set up at Elum, the bordering area of Swat and Buner, after clearing the miscreants so that they cannot dare to enter the area,” said the inspector general during his one-day visit.

The police force in K-P is being trained with assistance from the Pakistan Army, and a police training center will be set up in two months in Swat, said Durrani.

He earlier met Malakand GOC Major General Javed Bukhari and discussed in detail all matters pertaining to security in the region. Durrani also inspected the base point of Elum Peak in a helicopter. During the visit, Malakand DIG Abdullah Khan and Swat DPO Sher Akbar Khan accompanied Durrani.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2014.