Widening the net: IGP instructs DPOs to base search operations on intelligence reports

Stresses stern action against corrupt officers.

PESHAWAR:

Inspector General Police (IGP) Nasir Durrani on Friday directed all district police officers (DPOs) to conduct operations against terrorists in their respective areas on the basis of intelligence reports.

Presiding over a meeting of additional IGPs of Operations, Special Branch, Investigation and Frontier Reserve Police, DIG Headquarters and DIG Operations, Durrani said all operations should be planned properly and carried out on the basis of intelligence reports to make them effective.

The meeting participants also briefed Durrani about law and order in their respective jurisdictions.

“If terrorists are present in the tribal belt, the political administration should be informed and should be asked to launch a search operation. A copy of the correspondence should be also sent to the Central Police Office,” said Durrani, adding DPOs should prepare lists of known terrorists who are involved in attacks on police.



The IGP added sensitive areas and likely targets for terrorist attacks should be identified across the province and a comprehensive security plan should be chalked out to safeguard these areas.

“Police should pay special attention to the security of foreigners working on different projects in the country, while efficiently dealing with anti-social elements and criminals,” he added.

“DPOs should take action against corrupt police officials and they should be fired from the service,” said Durrani, adding investigations based on scientific assessments and methods were also the need of the hour in order to solve complex cases.

Earlier on Thursday, in efforts to improve the performance of the police force, the provincial government approved the acquisition of state-of-the-art mobile phone tracking systems for police and law enforcement agencies. The tracking system will enable police to trace the mobile phones used by terrorists in the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 5^th, 2013.