Yaum-e-Ali observed amid tightened security

Over 5,000 policemen deployed to avoid any untoward incident

LAHORE:

Over 5,000 policemen were deployed at the occasion to ensure a three-tier security plan for Yaum-e-Ali amid security threats in the provincial capital.

Senior police officers including Lahore CCPO Bilal Siddique Kamyana, DIG Operations Afazal Kausar and other officers themselves visited the route of the procession and observed security measures.

The CCPO and DIG also observed the culmination of the procession at Karbala Gamay Shah while standing at Metro Station Bridge.

In the wake of the event, city police intensified the security arrangements at entry and exit points of the city. Security remained on high alert and police checked bikes, and vehicles at checking points. Dolphin Squad, Police Response Unit, and Elite Force remained on patrol in the nearby areas.

Police also remained in close coordination with district administration and the organisers of the procession.

Routes of processions were monitored through cameras of the Punjab Safe City Authority (PSCA) and district administration.

The linked roads and streets to the procession routes were sealed and barriers and barbed wires were installed.

The main mourning procession was brought out from Mubarak Haveli and concluded at Imam Bargah Karbala Gamay Shah.

The participants were allowed to enter the procession after complete checking through a three-layered security mechanism, adding walk-through gates, metal detectors and electric barriers were also installed for checking.

CCPO Kamyana also met with the organizers, license holders along with Shia community leaders as well as members of the Central District Peace Committee.

Over 100 CCTV cameras were also installed on all the routes of the main procession by the Punjab Safe Cities Authority and district government.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 13^th, 2023.