Taking no chances: Sharpshooters to man 60 pickets in capital
The move comes after Nisar’s orders following the Jinnah Avenue standoff .
According to the spokesperson, these officials have been provided special training in sniper shooting and will initially perform their duties for three months.
ISLAMABAD:
The capital police on Tuesday deployed 650 trained officers, including commandos, at 60 pickets in and around the capital, a police spokesperson said.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had directed the Inspector General of Police, Sikandar Hayat, to improve security at the pickets and checkpoints after the Jinnah Avenue stand-off earlier this month.
The newly deployed officials are said to be especially trained and are all below the age of 32.
According to the spokesperson, these officials have been provided special training in sniper shooting and will initially perform their duties for three months.
The minister had also directed the police to launch an integrated communication system and clearly define standard operating procedures (SOPs) for tackling all kinds of incidents within a week.
According to the new deployment plan, 62 trained assistant sub-inspectors, 124 head constables and 464 constables will perform duties at 60 pickets in three shifts.
The capital’s city zone has 32 pickets, rural zone has four, industrial area, nine and 13 in the Saddar Zone. The police officials are also said to have special training in detecting and checking vehicles carrying suspicious items and personnel.
“The deployed officials will be connected to the national database of vehicles, NADRA and patrol teams through Islamabad police’s main server and special cell phones will be provided to them within seven days,” said a police official.
The official stated the technology being used is the first of its kind in the country and will increase the efficiency of the pickets and help in gathering intelligence and enhancing coordination among the police force.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 28th, 2013.
The capital police on Tuesday deployed 650 trained officers, including commandos, at 60 pickets in and around the capital, a police spokesperson said.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had directed the Inspector General of Police, Sikandar Hayat, to improve security at the pickets and checkpoints after the Jinnah Avenue stand-off earlier this month.
The newly deployed officials are said to be especially trained and are all below the age of 32.
According to the spokesperson, these officials have been provided special training in sniper shooting and will initially perform their duties for three months.
The minister had also directed the police to launch an integrated communication system and clearly define standard operating procedures (SOPs) for tackling all kinds of incidents within a week.
According to the new deployment plan, 62 trained assistant sub-inspectors, 124 head constables and 464 constables will perform duties at 60 pickets in three shifts.
The capital’s city zone has 32 pickets, rural zone has four, industrial area, nine and 13 in the Saddar Zone. The police officials are also said to have special training in detecting and checking vehicles carrying suspicious items and personnel.
“The deployed officials will be connected to the national database of vehicles, NADRA and patrol teams through Islamabad police’s main server and special cell phones will be provided to them within seven days,” said a police official.
The official stated the technology being used is the first of its kind in the country and will increase the efficiency of the pickets and help in gathering intelligence and enhancing coordination among the police force.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 28th, 2013.