500 cops to be deployed at a three-day Tableeghi Ijtima

Metal detectors, walk through gates to be set up, patrolling to be boosted on IJP Road

ISLAMABAD: As devotees stream into the capital for a three-day "Tableeghi Ijtima" [religious congregation] in Sector I-11/1, the Islamabad Police announced on Saturday that they had made special security arrangements for participants.

Officials said that they had deployed over 500 personnel to boost security for the congregation. Moreover, officials said that as many as four quick response force [QRF] teams have been formed to patrol the area where the congregation will be held.

Further, joint patrolling will be conducted along IJ Principal Road in order to boost vigilance while nine police pickets have been erected in the locality to make the checking process effective.



To ensure security for participants, metal detectors and walk-through gates will be installed at the entry points to check those coming to attend the congregation while a separate place has been designated for parking small and large vehicles. Police would patrol the area around the congregation while combing and search operations would be conducted in localities around the Sabzi Mandi area. Senior police officials would supervise the security arrangements.

The special branch and Islamabad Traffic Police [ITP] would also be deputed at the congregation. SSP-Operations Sajid Kiani has directed all the sub-divisional police officials and SHOs to effectively check those arriving to attend the congregation.

Moreover, a control room has also been established where DSP-Tele will supervise and coordinate among deployed staff through wireless systems. Industrial Area SP and SDPO and Sabzi Mandi SHO will supervise all security measures.

Bomb disposal squads have been deputed for sweeping the venue. At least one bomb disposal squad will remain at the venue round the clock to respond to any emergency.

Officials in plain clothes have also been deputed for collecting intelligence and officers equipped with metal detectors will check any suspicious and unattended bags or other items lying there in coordination with volunteers and organisers of the congregation.

Special deployment of traffic policemen has been made to avoid traffic jam from Pirwadhai Mor to Railway Gate on IJ Principal Road and Police Lines Road.

At the end of the congregation, additional traffic cops will be deployed to avoid a traffic log jam. Fire tenders and ambulances will also remain standby.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2017.