3,800 cops to ensure Christmas security

To ensure security for the native Christian community in the city, the Rawalpindi police has devised a comprehensive security plan where some 3,800 police personnel will be deployed at churches and other places.

A police spokesperson said that City Police Officer (CPO) Ahsan Younas has directed all SPs, DSPs and SHOs of the city to ensure effective patrolling in their respective areas as part of measures to implement the special security plan.

Under the security plan, he said that no one will be allowed to park their vehicles near Churches. Instead, the City Traffic Police (CTP) will make arrangements for parking vehicles of visitors while parking lots will be set up nearly 100 feet away from the churches.

Moreover, walk-through gates will be installed at the entrance to the Churches and visitors will be checked using metal detectors.

Further, they said that the best possible security arrangements will be ensured to avoid any untoward incident in the city.

Security duty at public places including parks will also be enhanced for the annual event, he said.

With the city witnessing a return of terrorism this year, the official said that security has also been tightened at the entry and exit points to the city with special checking ordered.

Further, police officials in plain clothes and fully equipped uniformed officials will be deputed at and near Churches and public places, he added.

Sharpshooters will also be deployed on the rooftops on buildings adjoining churches.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2020.