Railways jacks up security amid terror upsurge

Control room set up to monitor suspicious activities inside, around train stations

LAHORE:

In view of an upsurge in terrorism, the Pakistan Railways has taken drastic security measures in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, Sukkur, Quetta, Peshawar and Multan under the directions of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Farrukh Teymour.

The security of all stations, trains, buildings, washing lines and sick lines has been increased and a monitoring control room has also been set up. Male and female police personnel and administrative staff members have been deployed at the entrance and exit points of all the train stations.

Lahore Railways Police Station House Officer (SHO) Irfan Ashraf has completely closed all illegal routes around the railway stations and passengers are only allowed to enter after thorough checking through walk-through gates and metal detectors before entering the platforms.

Sources said that on the directions of the CEO, female police personnel have been deployed on the platforms to check the belongings of women, children and the elderly.

The authorities have also started monitoring unattended goods and suspicious persons through CCTV cameras on platforms and around the stations. The control room staff will report anything suspicious to the police personnel on duty.

The sources said that police commandos will also patrol inside the trains to ensure the safety of passengers.

The authorities have also decided to restrict the entry into the station premises to passengers only.

CEO Teymour said, “Safe and comfortable travel is among the department’s top priorities, and the Railways Police has been directed to make strict security arrangements for the purpose.”

He said that police commandos would patrol the platforms and trains to deal with any untoward incident. He also directed them to keep an eye out for suspicious people.