K-P seeks FC deployment to guard 'vital installations'

MIRANSHAH, PAKISTAN:

In view of the prevailing law and order situation in District Bannu, the office of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police (IGP) on Saturday requested the Home and Tribal Affairs Department to deploy nine platoons of the Federal Constabulary (FC) for the "protection of vital installations".

A letter available with The Express Tribune asked for nine platoons to guard eight vital installations, of which five were located in Bannu and the rest in Lakki Marwat.

As per the letter, the K-P IGP requested the deployment of two platoons for the Lakki Marwat District Jail and one each for the District Judicial Complex and the District Administration.

Meanwhile, in Bannu, one platoon each had been requested to guard the District Jail, District Judicial Complex, DC Office, High Court Bannu Bench and KTN and Grid Station.

The move was in response to the Bannu District Police's request to the IGP office for the deployment of at least 10 platoons of the FC, comprising 450 personnel, for sensitive security duties.

Bannu District Police Officer, Captain (retd) Muhammad Furqan Bilal, had sent a letter to the Bannu Regional Police Officer (RPO) on Aug 28, requesting the deployment of additional security personnel in view of the prevailing law and order situation in the district.

According to the letter, the security situation in Bannu had become complicated due to the protest by personnel associated with the Police Amman Committee, rendering "extreme" difficulties in the movement of officers of the district administration, judiciary and other government officials.

The letter noted explicit threats to officers, obstruction of official movements, road blockades, aerial firing, withdrawal of police personnel from sensitive installations and the possibility of renewed agitation requiring "immediate intervention."

Separately, the K-P Police also issued a large-scale transfer and posting order for several low-ranking police personnel.