Terror threat triggers PR security boost
Two policemen stand at the ready at Railway Station in Quetta on Thursday. Photo: PPI
Railway police are monitoring train stations, platforms, washing lines and yards with closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras because of fears of terrorism in the days preceding and during the coming Eid holidays.
According to officials, male and female police commandos have been deployed at the entry and exit points of the stations as part of strict security arrangements.
They said unattended goods and suspicious persons at railway platforms were being closely monitored with the help of the CCTV cameras.
Women police commandos check female passengers and children's luggage with metal detectors.
The officials said Railway Police Inspector General Faisal Shahkar had issued instructions for strict security measures in view of the current situation and threats.
Railway Police SHO Irfan Ashraf has made strict security arrangements at the Lahore station and its surroundings and deployed commandos at the entry and exit points.
As part of the security arrangements, the railway station, platforms and surrounding infrastructure are being closely monitored with the help of the cameras, especially to keep and eye on suspicious persons and goods on platforms.
The sources said the security arrangements for the large number of passengers expected in the coming weeks had been completed.
No passenger is allowed to enter the station without checking.
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SHO Irfan Ashraf said no one would be allowed to enter the railway station premises from the designated exit points.
Unnecessary paths to the railway stations and platforms have been closed and police personnel assigned duty to stop the people using such routes, the official said.
At the same time, employees working in the washing line and railway yard near the station have been instructed to display their official identity cards clearly.
No unauthorised person is allowed to enter the railway area around the station.
The officials serving on the railway premises also have to undergo search and identification while entering the area.
Railway Police IG Faisal Shahkar said while speaking to The Express Tribune that the safety of passengers was the responsibility of the department.
"Therefore, strict security arrangements have been made at railway stations and platforms," he said.
The official said passengers should also keep an eye on their surroundings and immediately report any suspicious persons and items to the police personnel on duty. He said monitoring of the railway stations and platforms was being carried out with the help of cameras.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 24th, 2022..