Police on alert to thwart terrorist incursions
An alert has been sounded following intelligence reports of potential terrorist attacks targeting the inter-provincial check post Hazrat Umar Farooq (Jhangi).
This comes after previous attacks on the post, with one resulting in the martyrdom of a head constable and injury to another officer, while a subsequent attack was successfully foiled by the police.
The inter-provincial check post Hazrat Umar Farooq (Jhangi), located on the Punjab-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border, faced an attack by banned organization terrorists on December 14, 2023.
During this incident, head constable Mazhar Iqbal was martyred, and constable Ramzan sustained injuries. Another attempted attack occurred on the night of January 23, which was thwarted by timely police intervention.
Responding to the heightened threat, RPO Dera Ghazi Khan, Captain (Rtd) Sajjad Hasan Khan, conducted emergency visits to the inter-provincial check post-Hazrat Umar Farooq (Jhangi), along with other police posts, border crossings, and sensitive locations. District Police Officer Dera Ghazi Khan, Ahmed Mohiuddin, and representatives from CTD and other law enforcement agencies accompanied him.
During the visits, the RPO reviewed security measures, personnel deployment, equipment, checkpoints, and surveillance systems, including thermal dome cameras.
Orders were issued for the immediate construction of a robust boundary wall and reinforcement of all security aspects at the Hazrat Umar Farooq checkpost.
Personnel were instructed to remain vigilant, conduct mock exercises, and utilize protective gear at all times.
Acknowledging the dedication of personnel under challenging circumstances, RPO Captain (retd) Sajjad Hasan Khan commended their commitment to safeguarding citizens' lives and property.
He emphasised leveraging all available resources to uphold the rule of law, ensure public safety, and maintain order.
As many as 15 personnel, including the in-charge, were dismissed last month for absence from duty.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 29th, 2024.