Railways Police tightens security ahead of Ashura
Two policemen stand at the ready at Railway Station in Quetta on Thursday. Photo: PPI
On the instructions of Inspector General (IG) Rao Sardar Ali, the Railways Police have tightened the security of Imambargahs located near the stations and the mosques on the platforms to cater to the security concerns at Ashura.
These security measures have been implemented at all divisions of Pakistan Railways.
Men and women commandos have been deployed at the entry and exit points of the railway stations and CCTV cameras are being used to keep an eye on suspicious persons and abandoned goods on platforms. Moreover, women commandos have been deployed to check the luggage of women passengers and children through metal detectors.
Railways Police Station House Officer (SHO) Irfan Ashraf said that no one is allowed to enter the railway stations from the exit points and unnecessary routes leading to the stations and platforms have also been closed.
The SHO said that police personnel will be deployed on these routes.
The officer revealed that the security of Imambargahs and colonies around the stations has been increased and visitors will only be allowed to pass through after a thorough search.
IG Ali said that adequate security arrangements have been made on the railway platforms and the security of mosques on platforms and Imambargahs around the stations has been increased.
He said that the safety of passengers is the first priority, therefore, strict arrangements have been made at railway stations and platforms.
The IG also urged the passengers to keep an eye on their surroundings and report any suspicious persons or abandoned items to the police offers on duty in a timely manner.