Security on high-alert due to tense situation at borders

Monitoring of mosques, Imambargahs increased

KARACHI:

A city teeming with illegal and legally registered Afghan immigrant population is on tenterhooks as tensions flare up on borders.

The Ghazab-lil-Haq operation of the Pakistan's armed forces against the Afghan Taliban Regime has set the civil administrations in major cities on their toes to prevent any subversive activity by foreign sponsored terrorists.

In this regard, AIG Javed Alam Odho has ordered a citywide high security alert. Police have been directed to remain fully vigilant and strengthen security measures across the city by maintaining strict surveillance to counter any unusual activity.

The city police chief has issued orders that security arrangements be intensified at all sensitive installations, key government and semi-government offices, important buildings, airports, railway stations, bus terminals, and public places including shopping malls.

Orders have also been issued to enhance intelligence monitoring at mosques, religious seminaries, Imambargahs, and other potentially sensitive locations. Coordination and communication at the police station level have also been directed.

Meanwhile, the traffic police department has also been placed on high alert. The department would remain fully prepared to handle any sort of disturbance and ensure smooth and secure flow of traffic.

According to the spokesperson, under directives issued by the DIG Traffic Karachi, all traffic police personnel would wear bulletproof jackets while on duty. Every police constable would carry a 9mm weapon with full ammunition. Each duty point or mobile squad must have at least one Sub-Machine Gun (SMG) available.

No personnel will be assigned duty alone or at isolated or poorly lit locations. Officers would maintain effective coordination and ensure wireless communication systems remain fully operational. The control room has been kept active and on high alert.

The city police chief has advised the public to remain peaceful as safeguarding the nation remains our foremost priority.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Rangers Sindh carried out extensive snap checks and intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in various areas of Karachi in view of the prevailing security situation to maintain law and order and pre-empt potential threats, an official statement said on Friday.

A total of 232 snap checks were conducted during the operations, along with 14 counter-terrorism actions carried out on the basis of intelligence inputs. As a result of these operations, nine suspects were apprehended and subsequently handed over to police and other relevant law-enforcement agencies for further legal proceedings.