Punjab Police execute security plan for Pak-Sri Lanka T20s

Fans checked at four points before being allowed to enter venue

LAHORE: Amid serious security threats, the Punjab police devised and executed a foolproof four-layered security plan for the first match of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka T20 series held at Qaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Saturday.

Deputy Inspector General of Lahore Police Operations (DIG) Ashfaq Ahmad Khan told the Express Tribune that over 13,000 policemen were deployed under the supervision of three SSPs, 13 SPs and 42 DSPs, alongside paramilitary forces and other law enforcement agencies.

The four-layered security plan meant that each fan was checked at as many as entry points before coming into the venue. This included physical checking, walkthrough gates and metal detectors. The participants were also checked through biometric machines.

At least 131 inspectors and 718 upper subordinates were also deployed. Lahore police was assisted by the Punjab Constabulary, Elite Force and Rangers for the execution of the plan.  A centralised control room was also set up.

All the roads, streets and entry points that fell within a certain radius of the Qaddafi Stadium were blocked with barbed wires, tents and barricades, according to the security plan. Shops, offices and other public places were closed after surety bonds were taken from them.

Only the participants who had tickets/passes and valid CNICs were allowed entry beyond this area after a thorough check-up.

Aerial surveillance of the area was also conducted. Special teams of Dolphin Squad, Police Response Unit and Quick Response Force remained on patrol around the designated area of the stadium to keep an eye on any suspicious person or activity. Snipers were also deployed on vantage points of the area to track down any suspicious person or activity.

A large number of policemen in civvies were on duty for intelligence collection and surveillance.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6^th, 2019.