Earlier this week, security was intensified at the Haripur Jail. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
PESHAWAR:
Amid security concerns, a contingent of the Pakistan Army has been deployed at the Peshawar Central Jail. The number of police officials has also been doubled and the car park moved from the area to tighten security around the building.
Jail authorities told The Express Tribune that extra security measures are being taken at all jails in the province in light of the attack in DI Khan. The army has been deployed to guard the Peshawar jail in the event of a terrorist attack.
“We already have an armoured personnel carrier (APC) and elite force commandoes to protect the building. The number of police commandoes has been doubled as a precaution,” said a prison official. He was confident that a Bannu or DI Khan style attack will not be possible in Peshawar due to the presence of the army and paramilitary forces.3
On July 29, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan attacked the central jail in Dera Ismail Khan and freed nearly 250 prisoners, including 49 high-profile militants; while nearly a year ago, almost 400 prisoners escaped from Bannu jail after a similar attack by 150 heavily-armed militants.
Earlier this week, security was intensified at the Haripur Jail, the second largest prison in the province. The government is also mulling constructing a separate jail for high-profile militants.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 7th, 2013.
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