Islamabad cops march through city to showcase readiness

Announce deployment of 12,000 personnel to ensure Muharram security

ISLAMABAD: Police officers along with commandos drove around the streets of the federal capital in force on Sunday afternoon as they showed strength to kick off the new Islamic new year.

Officials also disclosed that as many as 12,000 personnel of the Islamabad Police will be deployed during the month to perform security duties across the city.

A mock anti-terror exercise was also carried out by the police on Sunday to show preparedness for any eventuality.

Following directives from Islamabad Police Inspector General Aamir Zulfiqar Khan, Operations DIG Waqaruddin Syed led a special flag march along with Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqat. They were accompanied by City- SP Aamir Niazi, Industrial Area-SP Sayed Aziz, all SDPOs and SHOs of Industrial Zone and Rural Zone, Islamabad Traffic Police, police commandos, Rescue 15 and police patrolling officials.

Police, Rangers hold yet another flag march in capital

The march commenced from the Pakistan Sports Complex and made its way around Dhokri Chowk, Rawal Dam Chowk, Shehzad town, Tramri Chow Lehtrar road, Khana Bridge, Koral Chowk, PWD Housing Society, Kak Bridge to Kahuta Road, Imambargah Haideri in Sihala, Imambargah Niazian on Expressway, Sain Boota shrine on Faizabad, Sector I-8 Markaz, Imambargah Jafferia in Sector I-10 Markaz, Imambargah Moosa Kazim, Imambargah Baltastania, Police Line Headquarters, Kashmir Highway, Jhugi Syedan, Imam Bargah Qadeemi, Imambargah Baitul Hussain and Aabpara Chowk before culminating at the stadium.

Syed said that the Islamabad Police have made comprehensive security arrangements for observing Muharram. He further said that the purpose of this flag march was to show preparations of the police and other law enforcement agencies during the holy month to counter any challenge and maintain peace in the city.

He directed all SDPOs and the SHOs to make effective security arrangements in their respective areas. He added that the Islamabad Police will maintain a close liaison with peace committees and organizers of congregations and processions in the city.

He also directed officials to undertake combing and search operations in slums and to maintain high vigilance at entry and exit points of the city.

Security plan

Meanwhile, per a security plan finalised for congregations and processions in the city, the Islamabad Police has decided to deploy as many as 12,000 personnel.

Show of strength: Police, Rangers hold flag march

 

The Operations DIG Syed said that all wings of capital police force have been directed to ensure complete coordination for the success of this plan.

He added that some 909 religious gatherings and 177 processions are expected to be held in the city. Syed directed officials to ensure strict security arrangements for these events apart from ensuring special checking measures for intending participants using metal detectors.

Syed stressed on installing walk-through gates at all entry and exit points of congregations and processions which are covered by a large number of police officers. Moreover, women police officers should be deputed for female gatherings.

He also asked all SPs, SDPOs to curb hateful wall chalking or pasting posters.

The DIG said that strict vigilance should be maintained to ensure security measures are in place by the police as well as peace committees.

All SHOs were told to negotiate with the concerned authorities to weed out bushes in the vicinity of worship places.

Along with police, personnel from paramilitary Rangers and police Commandoes will ensure the security of Imambargahs.

Syed directed that officers must ensure the processions pass through their pre-approved routes while strictly maintaining the timings of processions.

With eye on miscreants, police march through capital

He has also directed for effective patrolling and uses commando vehicles for this purpose.

The IGP asked Traffic SSP to ensure proper arrangements to avoid any inconvenience for road users and special deployment for the smooth flow of traffic on alternate routes when processions are carried out.

For this purpose, officers must ensure that cars are parked far away from processions with proper security arrangements and metal detectors at entry and exit points.

Patrolling officers were directed to visit all routes of Muharram processions and Imambargahs while rooftops will be covered by police officials.

All SHOs were told to obtain complete bio‑data of volunteers while Peace committees will be asked to ensure that no stranger is allowed to stay in the worship places for security reasons.

It will be also mandatory for organizers of processions to secure clearance certificates from the relevant police stations before staring.

He said that a ban on the entry of certain scholars or people, imposed by the Islamabad district administration, will be enforced.

Pillion riding has been also banned in the capital.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd, 2019.