Defence Day: Amid tight security, celebrations held at GHQ

Other garrison areas also held events honouring martyrs, soldiers

RAWALPINDI: Military authorities on Tuesday carried out different activities in connection with Defence Day. Security arrangements were very thorough, with hundreds of army and police personnel deployed at sensitive locations.

The authorities displayed army equipment and aeroplanes at Noor Khan Base, Chaklala and at Army Aviation Base, Dhamial. A number of families and children went to see the displays.

The authorities allowed access to the public after scanning national identity cards and undergoing security checks. A great rush was seen at both sites, especially among children.

The main event was at General Headquarters (GHQ), where homages were paid to martyrs and their families.

Security was on high alert, particularly in cantonment areas, around GHQ and military installations.

Armed military personnel started patrolling in sensitive areas on Monday afternoon. Army personnel were also deployed in busy markets.

The police and army personnel carried out tight checking at all entry and exit points of the city. The police also carried out search operations in residential areas close to military installations.

Rangers and army personnel were also deployed on the rooftops of important buildings and along the elevated metro bus route.

As many as 1,200 police officers and constables were deployed. The police also carried out special checking in sensitive areas.

Cellular services were suspended in Pindi at around 4pm and resumed around 11pm. Service was also suspended on Monday. The metro bus service was suspended at 5pm. It would resume on Wednesday (today).

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th, 2016.