Hedging bets: High-profile prisoners to be ‘scattered’ around prisons
These 48 militants are affiliated with the TTP; most of the threats to Central Jail Peshawar are related to them.
These 48 militants are affiliated with the TTP; most of the threats to Central Jail Peshawar are related to them. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
PESHAWAR:
A decision has been taken to shift 48 high-profile prisoners from Central Jail Peshawar to Haripur, Kohat, Timergara and Mardan jails due to security reasons.
Talking to The Express Tribune, a senior government official said these 48 detainees are affiliated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Most of the threats issued to the jail and its administration are related to these men, hence the decision to shift them to other jails instead of keeping them all in one prison, added the official.
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) police have been asked to provide security during the shifting of the militants who are considered dangerous, he said.
“At least 250 militants are estimated to be detained at Central Jail Peshawar, 48 are considered to be the most dangerous because of their affiliations with various factions of the TTP. The rest are from Mangal Bagh-led Lashkar-e-Islam, informed the official. “The administration is really concerned about the TTP men after the Bannu and DI Khan prison attacks,” he added.
“In the past, these men were imprisoned with the other inmates but three years ago they were shifted to isolated barracks, away from rest of the prison population.”
The official explained the government has already taken a decision to construct a separate jail for militants in Mardan but it will take time. Till then, they will scatter high-risk prisoners instead of keeping them in one location.
Meanwhile, police have sealed around 93 entry and exit points in the city. A large number of police, Frontier Constabulary, Frontier Reserve Police and volunteers have been deployed for the 8th, 9th and 10th of Muharram.
Command centres have been established inside the walled city and Cantt – the city will be virtually sealed during these three days.
Traders have decided to keep the markets closed and Afghan refugees have been directed to stay inside their camps. The display of weapons, pillion riding and renting a car or motorcycle has also been banned by the district administration after consultation with police.
In Peshawar, Kohat, Hangu and DI Khan, an aircraft will be commissioned for round-the-clock aerial surveillance.
As per the K-P police, 454 large and small mourning processions will be taken out across the province and security will be provided to each of these by local police. There are 65 imambaraghs in the city of Peshawar alone.
“Peshawar is one of the most sensitive districts in this month along with DI Khan and Hangu. We have made our plans accordingly,” informed a police official. Sniffer dogs and metal detecting gates are part of the security measures for the processions.
“We have made arrangements for generators and lights installed on vehicles to allow processions to move even during power cuts.”
The Pakistan Army has also been put on high alert in case of any emergency throughout the district.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th,2013.
A decision has been taken to shift 48 high-profile prisoners from Central Jail Peshawar to Haripur, Kohat, Timergara and Mardan jails due to security reasons.
Talking to The Express Tribune, a senior government official said these 48 detainees are affiliated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Most of the threats issued to the jail and its administration are related to these men, hence the decision to shift them to other jails instead of keeping them all in one prison, added the official.
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) police have been asked to provide security during the shifting of the militants who are considered dangerous, he said.
“At least 250 militants are estimated to be detained at Central Jail Peshawar, 48 are considered to be the most dangerous because of their affiliations with various factions of the TTP. The rest are from Mangal Bagh-led Lashkar-e-Islam, informed the official. “The administration is really concerned about the TTP men after the Bannu and DI Khan prison attacks,” he added.
“In the past, these men were imprisoned with the other inmates but three years ago they were shifted to isolated barracks, away from rest of the prison population.”
The official explained the government has already taken a decision to construct a separate jail for militants in Mardan but it will take time. Till then, they will scatter high-risk prisoners instead of keeping them in one location.
Meanwhile, police have sealed around 93 entry and exit points in the city. A large number of police, Frontier Constabulary, Frontier Reserve Police and volunteers have been deployed for the 8th, 9th and 10th of Muharram.
Command centres have been established inside the walled city and Cantt – the city will be virtually sealed during these three days.
Traders have decided to keep the markets closed and Afghan refugees have been directed to stay inside their camps. The display of weapons, pillion riding and renting a car or motorcycle has also been banned by the district administration after consultation with police.
In Peshawar, Kohat, Hangu and DI Khan, an aircraft will be commissioned for round-the-clock aerial surveillance.
As per the K-P police, 454 large and small mourning processions will be taken out across the province and security will be provided to each of these by local police. There are 65 imambaraghs in the city of Peshawar alone.
“Peshawar is one of the most sensitive districts in this month along with DI Khan and Hangu. We have made our plans accordingly,” informed a police official. Sniffer dogs and metal detecting gates are part of the security measures for the processions.
“We have made arrangements for generators and lights installed on vehicles to allow processions to move even during power cuts.”
The Pakistan Army has also been put on high alert in case of any emergency throughout the district.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th,2013.