Combing operations: Sukkur police arrest 16 suspects

Arms, ammunition also recovered from their possession

SUKKUR: Besides constituting peace committees to maintain unity at the local level, Sukkur police have started 'combing' operations in an attempt to ensure peace during Muharram.

Sukkur SSP Amjad Ahmed Shaikh told The Express Tribune that the police arrested on Saturday eight suspects during combing operations in Arore and its surrounding areas. Located around ten to 12 kilometres from Sukkur, Arore is a hilly area where stone blasting sites are situated. The police also recovered explosive material during the operation.

"This particular explosive is used for blasting stones and it can also be used to prepare home-made bombs," shared Shaikh, adding that some of the contractors were found keeping more explosives than the permitted limit of their license and so were taken into custody.



Similarly, a large contingent of police, along with Rangers personnel, raided different localities of New Goth in Sukkur Saturday night, taking eight suspects into custody, informed Shaikh. Arms and ammunition were also recovered from their possession.

Our combing operation is part of the National Action Plan and it has been intensified due to Muharram, explained Shaikh. Talking about the procession of ninth Muharram in Rohri, he said, it is very sensitive security wise as thousands of mourners attend it. "We don't want to take any chances and have started screening all the hotels, musafirkhanas and slums," he said.

Speaking about the overall security arrangements for Muharram, he said that around 3,200 policemen along with Rangers personnel will be deployed for the 145 big and small processions and 1,288 majalis that will be held during Muharram throughout the district. Contingents of the Pakistan Army will also remain on backup, he said, adding that the processions of 5th Muharram in Old Sukkur, 8th and 9th Muharram in Rohri and 10th Muharram in Sukkur and Rohri have been declared sensitive and strict security measures have been adopted to provide complete security to the processions.

"Unnecessary use of loud speakers, hate speech and publications, exhibiting arms and pillion riding has been banned throughout the district during Muharram to avert any untoward incident," he said, adding that close circuit television cameras will be installed on the route of the Muharram processions to keep an eye on all activities.

All procession routes will be thoroughly checked and cleared by the bomb disposal squad, said Shaikh. A central monitoring cell will be established in the SSP office, while camp monitoring offices will be set up at different places to cope with any emergency without wasting time, he added.

Meanwhile, SSP Shaikh also appealed to the religious clerics of all sects to maintain peace, harmony and brotherhood during Muharram.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2016.