Security beefed up at shrines in the capital

Police launch crackdown against criminals in the city

ISLAMABAD: Following Saturday’s deadly suicide bomb blast at a shrine in Hub that left over 50 people dead and over 100 injured, police have moved to beef up security at shrines located in the capital.

The capital is home to two major shrines, Bari Imam and Golra, which are visited by thousands of devotees from across the country every week. There are also several other lesser-known shrines located within the Islamabad Capital Territory.

Police on Monday said that they had stepped up checking of people and devotees visiting these shrines. Patrolling around shrines and other venues for religious gatherings has also been increased.

Officials said they were using metal detectors to screen visitors.

Islamabad SSP-Operations Sajid Kiani has also requested the public to cooperate with the law-enforcers. “Cooperation of citizens with police is crucial for the success of security arrangements in the city,” he said as he urged the public to inform the police in case of detecting any suspicious activity.

Crackdown

Meanwhile, Islamabad police and Rangers conducted search operations in different parts of the capital apprehending 137 suspects including six Afghans who did not have valid documents.

The search operation was conducted in Tarnol and its adjacent areas including Sang Jani with police checking slum areas, inns, hotels and restaurants and known Afghan habitats.

Kiani said that a comprehensive plan to comb various areas of the capital had been devised to secure the city. He added that more search operations would be conducted in the coming days and sensitive areas would be combed.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 15^th, 2016.