After three back-to-back robbery incidents, Rawalpindi police have devised a new security plan for filling stations across the city.
Under the new security plan, petrol stations operating without private security guards will be shut down.
Patrolling teams of all police stations will visit petrol pumps in their respective jurisdictions eight times a day, sources said.
In the last week, three petrol pumps were robbed in the remits of Ganj Mandi, Westridge and Airport police stations, and three cashiers were killed.
The police believe that the same gang was involved in all three robberies. The gang members show up at filling stations to get petrol filled in a vehicle before carrying out the robbery.
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According to the police, all police stations have been directed to implement the new security plan as the gang could strike again.
Sources said that all filling stations in Rawalpindi have been declared sensitive in the new security plan and deployment of a security guard had been declared mandatory for the protection of the staff and the cashiers.
The police have decided that a petrol pump without a security guard would be shut and legal action will be taken against the manager.
All petrol pumps have been directed to make their CCTV cameras operational and erect barricades at their entry and exit points.
The Dolphin Force has also been directed to stay at a close distance to petrol pumps and keep an eye on the surroundings. The filling station managers have also been directed to remain in contact with their local police stations and keep minimum cash with the cashier and ensure he was not alone.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th, 2021.
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