March out boys: Government calls on the big guns for chehlum security
Mapped out: The red-dotted line marks the route of the main Chehlum procession for today, December 24. Alternative directions and diversion points are also marked on the map released by the traffic police. MAP COURTESY: CAPITAL CITY TRAFFIC POLICE
Due to terrorism threats at the main procession of Hazrat Imam Hussain’s (RA) chehlum on Tuesday, the army has been called in at the request of the Sindh government.
Under Article 245 of the Constitution, the soldiers from Malir Cantonment are taking up strategic positions in high threat areas.
The MA Jinnah Road has been closed for traffic as entry points along the central procession route have been sealed with barricades and containers. Shops situated along the route of the procession have also been closed for the procession. Bomb disposal unit and Karachi police K-9 unit also swept the route ahead of the procession. “We are alert to the dangers of suicide bombers and improvised explosive devices,” said District South DIG Abdul Khalique Shaikh. “We will be using modern technological equipment to prevent any act of terrorism.”
The central procession will be guarded by more than 5,000 policemen, added Shaikh while a Rangers spokesperson claimed that Rangers personnel will also be used. “A total of 5,000 of our jawans (Rangers personnel) will be deployed tomorrow.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 24th, 2013.