According to a ministry of defence notification to the Punjab home department, agencies have traced a telephone conversation between two alleged terrorists. The conversation indicated that Adiala prison was next on the TTP’s hit-list.
Upon receiving the notification, the Punjab home department has demanded the deployment of a company of Rangers at each of the province’s five most sensitive prisons in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan and Bahawalpur. Security at these prisons has been put on high alert, while the home department has also delegated regional, city and district police officers to make special security arrangements for prisons housing terrorists.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Superintendent of police (SP) Prisons Bahawalpur Chaudhry Naeem confirmed they have received special orders to boost security at the prisons. He added that they were coordinating with intelligence and security agencies regarding the issue.
The SP said special bunkers have been built at both entrances of the Bahawalpur central prison and elite personnel have been deployed around the prison.
Sources have said the security of prisons all over Punjab is being closely monitored by intelligence agencies. Security personnel for Bahawalpur central prison have also been sent to police personnel to undergo special training.
The Bahawalpur prison houses some of the most sensitive TTP members, including those who attacked the office of Inter-Services Intelligence in Multan.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2012.
COMMENTS (8)
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@Zaleem Singh: I think that you Indians should stop interfering in Pakistani issues and stop supporting criminal agencies with money and supplies.
Am sure like BBC world news that Bannu Jail break was a planned game involving govt to execute deal with taliban otherwise near was a army camp and two hours firing continue but no army arrived nor called by jail authorities.
security will only be on high alert after the prison-break ..
@Pakistan politics: Because that's the best way to look like they're not supporting them. Give information, warn them so they can switch tactics up to still make sure they're looking in the wrong direction for them.
Agencies always have information of all attacks being planned, why they dont go after them??
Aaah Adiala Jail. Was that part of a plan to bust the PM out incase he ended up there.
They cannot save the jail and the country Circle is now closing around the Pakistan nation and ARMY also, now the time to squeeze more
Without specialized Sharp Shooters and Snipers and protected bunkers in every Jail we cannot say we can protect any jail at all. Ordinary Police have no training at all. Our police officers are more trained in indiscriminate firing rather than firing with accuracy and When Taliban will come in hoards i am pretty sure they will simply run away owing to the lack of weapons and proper training. Punjab government should enforce a plan which includes Hotlines for round the clock communication, Deployment of Rapid Reaction Force (RRF) units and Airborne Units which will be in the place of threat within minutes to secure and neutralize the area from any threats.