Show of strength: Police, Rangers hold flag march
Capital’s security beefed up further following imambargah attacks in Gujranwala.
The police have been directed to keep a close watch on the capital’s entry and exit points. PHOTO: ONLINE
ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad Police and contingents of Pakistan Rangers conducted a flag march on Saturday to show security preparedness in the capital during Muharram.
The exercise by the capital’s law enforcement came on the same day that three people including a cleric were killed in attacks at two imambargahs in Gujranwala, resulting in an overall stepping up of Muharram security arrangements in Punjab and the federal capital.
Around 200 police officials and 40 vehicles of Pakistan Rangers, Islamabad Traffic Police, Commandoes and Rescue 15 participated in the march, which was conducted under the supervision of Superintendent of Police (Saddar) Jamil Hashmi.
The sub-divisional police officers (SDPOs) of Saddar, Rural, Bani Gala and Industrial Area circles along with station house officers (SHOs) of all police stations also took part in the march.
Senior Superintendent Police Operations Muhammad Rizwan said the purpose of the march was to show preparations of the police and other law enforcement agencies to maintain peace in Islamabad during Muharram.
The march started from the Pakistan Sports Complex and ended at the same location after passing through Aabpara, Melody, Imambargah Asna-e-Ashri in Sector G-6/2, Blue Area, Jinnah Avenue, Imambargah Al-Sadiq in Sector G-9/2, F-10 Markaz, F-11 Markaz, Bheka Syedan, Golra Shareef, Shah Allah Ditta, Tarnol, G-10 Markaz, Karachi Company, Jamia al Murtaza in Sector G-9/4, Khyber Chowk and Kashmir Highway.
The Islamabad Police had also conducted a similar flag march on Wednesday that covered the eastern parts of Islamabad including the rural areas east of Islamabad Expressway.
Rizwan directed all SDPOs and SHOs to make effective security arrangements and maintain a close liaison with peace committees and organisers of Muharram gatherings and processions.
Inspector General of Islamabad Police Sikandar Hayat said he has directed the police to launch an effective search operation within their jurisdictions including slum areas to nab suspected criminal elements.
Hayat said the Islamabad Police will be on high alert on the eve of Ashura and duty rosters for police personnel have been compiled for Muharram security. He said a special control room has been established to coordinate among all the wings of police and assisting security agencies for Muharram security.
The police have already been directed to keep a close watch on entry and exit points, places of worship and sensitive buildings in the federal capital. They have also been told to work with peace committees to clear a line of sight and ensure effective lighting arrangements near imambargahs and along the routes of Muharram processions to prevent any militants from using bushes and foliage as a cover to attack the processions.
Around 3,000 Islamabad Police officials will be on duty till Ashura to ensure the 909 gatherings and 177 processions planned in Islamabad during Muharram are held without incident.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 10th, 2013.
The Islamabad Police and contingents of Pakistan Rangers conducted a flag march on Saturday to show security preparedness in the capital during Muharram.
The exercise by the capital’s law enforcement came on the same day that three people including a cleric were killed in attacks at two imambargahs in Gujranwala, resulting in an overall stepping up of Muharram security arrangements in Punjab and the federal capital.
Around 200 police officials and 40 vehicles of Pakistan Rangers, Islamabad Traffic Police, Commandoes and Rescue 15 participated in the march, which was conducted under the supervision of Superintendent of Police (Saddar) Jamil Hashmi.
The sub-divisional police officers (SDPOs) of Saddar, Rural, Bani Gala and Industrial Area circles along with station house officers (SHOs) of all police stations also took part in the march.
Senior Superintendent Police Operations Muhammad Rizwan said the purpose of the march was to show preparations of the police and other law enforcement agencies to maintain peace in Islamabad during Muharram.
The march started from the Pakistan Sports Complex and ended at the same location after passing through Aabpara, Melody, Imambargah Asna-e-Ashri in Sector G-6/2, Blue Area, Jinnah Avenue, Imambargah Al-Sadiq in Sector G-9/2, F-10 Markaz, F-11 Markaz, Bheka Syedan, Golra Shareef, Shah Allah Ditta, Tarnol, G-10 Markaz, Karachi Company, Jamia al Murtaza in Sector G-9/4, Khyber Chowk and Kashmir Highway.
The Islamabad Police had also conducted a similar flag march on Wednesday that covered the eastern parts of Islamabad including the rural areas east of Islamabad Expressway.
Rizwan directed all SDPOs and SHOs to make effective security arrangements and maintain a close liaison with peace committees and organisers of Muharram gatherings and processions.
Inspector General of Islamabad Police Sikandar Hayat said he has directed the police to launch an effective search operation within their jurisdictions including slum areas to nab suspected criminal elements.
Hayat said the Islamabad Police will be on high alert on the eve of Ashura and duty rosters for police personnel have been compiled for Muharram security. He said a special control room has been established to coordinate among all the wings of police and assisting security agencies for Muharram security.
The police have already been directed to keep a close watch on entry and exit points, places of worship and sensitive buildings in the federal capital. They have also been told to work with peace committees to clear a line of sight and ensure effective lighting arrangements near imambargahs and along the routes of Muharram processions to prevent any militants from using bushes and foliage as a cover to attack the processions.
Around 3,000 Islamabad Police officials will be on duty till Ashura to ensure the 909 gatherings and 177 processions planned in Islamabad during Muharram are held without incident.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 10th, 2013.