Over 3,000 police personnel to be deployed in Rawalpindi

No one will be allowed to park near churches; walk-through gates, metal detectors to be used

RAWALPINDI: As Christians in the garrison city prepare to celebrate Christmas on Monday (today), the police and other security forces have made elaborate arrangements to ensure the celebrations take place peacefully and without incident.

With the attack on a Church in Quetta — which left at least nine people dead — still fresh in the minds, the Rawalpindi police have decided to deploy as many as 3,500 personnel around the city to ensure tight arrangements at churches and other public places.

According to a police spokesperson, these personnel will also include deployment of women police, personnel from the special branch and elite force. These contingents will be supervised by three superintendents of police (SPs), 11 deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) and 21 SHOs.

Moreover, no one will be allowed to park their vehicles near churches while walk-through gates will be installed at the entrance of the churches with visitors checked using metal detectors.

“Best possible security arrangements have been made to avoid any untoward incident in the city,” the police official said.

Apart from churches, police personnel will be deployed at public places including parks, he said, adding that security has also been tightened at the entry and exit points of the city with special checking ordered for the special occasion.

He said that the City Police Officer (CPO) Israr Ahmed Khan Abbasi has directed SPs, DSPs and SHOs to ensure effective patrolling in their respective areas. Personnel in plainclothes and well-equipped policemen would patrol as well as take up posts near churches and public places, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2017.