Chehlum processions conclude peacefully in K-P

Mobile networks remained suspended

PESHAWAR: Chehlum processions for Imam Hussain (RA) concluded peacefully in the province on Sunday amid tight security.

Security had been particularly beefed up in the Kurram Tribal District, Dera Ismail Khan, Kohat and the provincial capital. Procession routes were closely monitored through closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.

In the provincial capital, the main Chehlum procession emerged from Imambargha Agha Syed Lal Shah. The procession proceeded along its pre-designated route through the city before culminating at Imambargha Satgharah.

Processions from Imambargah Aalam Ghazi Abbas emerged from the Shia Jamiya Imambargah in the evening and was limited the area. Peshawar police had stationed some 4,000 officers in the area. Moreover, all exits and entry points to the city were strictly monitored and areas around the imambargahs were closed.

The route was also monitored through drones while sniffer dogs were used to search the routes for explosives ahead of the processions. All hotels and restaurants set up along the routes of the processions were also checked.

Peshawar Operations SSP in an official statement said that armoured vehicles were deployed in sensitive areas of the city while snipers were also stationed on rooftops.

To ensure security, mobile networks in most parts of the city were switched off while snap checking was also carried out in sensitive areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2019.