Over 5,000 cops deployed for security
Police officers stand guard outside Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium after New Zealand cricket team pull out of a Pakistan cricket tour over security concerns, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan September 17, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS
The Rawalpindi district police made the best possible security arrangements for Pak-New Zealand cricket matches and deployed 5,500 police personnel with 370 traffic wardens to ensure foolproof security and a smooth flow of traffic.
According to a police spokesman, police had formulated a foolproof security plan for the cricket matches to be played between Pakistan and New Zealand at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Double Road, Shamsabad.
A special command post was set up to ensure security arrangements. It had also been decided to shut down all the places adjacent to the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium during the matches, including Double Road, Allama Iqbal Park, Food Street and Shehbaz Sharif Sports Complex, he said.
Special sniper commandos were deployed on the rooftops around the route and the stadium while the movement of the teams from the hotel to the stadium was being monitored with the help of CCTV cameras, he said.
The spokesman said that more than 5,500 officers and personnel were performing security duties, adding that for the convenience of citizens, more than 370 traffic officers were also on duty for effective traffic arrangements. Traffic wardens had been directed to provide alternative routes to the double road traffic, he said.
The official said that the route of the cricket teams was being monitored through CCTV cameras. Special teams of elite commandos, dolphins and district police were patrolling the surrounding areas of the cricket stadium. He said the cricket fans were allowed to enter the stadium after thoroughly checking through the designated route.
He added that the senior officers were ensuring point duties and briefing the officers and jawans posted on duty. All available resources were utilised to ensure foolproof security arrangements, he said, adding that coordinated efforts were made by all the departments concerned.
The spokesperson said that separate parking areas were also arranged for the cricket fans, and a shuttle service had also been provided to the fans from the parking lot to reach the stadium. Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 was on high alert to deal with any emergency.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 25th, 2023.