Law and order: K-P govt to launch ‘grand operation’ across province

Over 100 contingents of police commandos to keep watch.

KARAK/ PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government is prepared to launch a “grand operation” against terrorists, kidnappers, target killers and extortionists in the province, revealed official documents on security arrangements for Eidul Fitr.

According to the papers, a meeting was chaired by Secretary Home and Tribal Affairs Syed Akhtar Ali Shah, who was informed that the province has been divided into 26 zones for the grand operation. Over 100 contingents of police commandos have been arranged and a list of around 2,268 suspects has also been prepared.

Shah was informed by different officials from the police and other departments that oil and gas installations, Water and Power Development Authority offices, airports, television and radio stations, railway and bus stations were declared sensitive, and foolproof security measures have been adopted to secure all the buildings. Police have also been put on red alert throughout the province.

Shah directed the district police officers to prepare their security plans but at the same time he ruled out the possibility of any untoward situation at shopping centres, specifically during rush hours at night. He stressed that intelligence sharing was important to thwart any possible threat.

“Special intelligence coordination committee meetings shall be convened to share intelligence and evolve a comprehensive security plan for Eid,” read the documents. They added special attention will be paid to mosques, eidgahs and imambargahs.

The documents stated that VIPs could be easy prey on such an occasion. Directions were issued that special security measures be adopted for such persons and banned organisations, anti-social elements as well as schedule IV (of suspected) individuals be monitored.

Besides monitoring via CCTV camera input, the number of police personnel has been enhanced at security check points as well as at vital sensitive installations in the province.

Meanwhile, the district administrations of Peshawar and Karak on Thursday imposed Section 144 for a month. According to a notification issued from Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Zaheerul Islam’s office, aerial firing, motorcycles without silencers and one-wheeling has been banned ahead of Eid. The notification stated that the ban will be in place with immediate effect and action will be taken against those found violating the order.

Another statement issued from the office of Karak’s deputy commissioner said the restriction is also imposed on swimming in all canals and dams of the district in order to prevent drowning incidents, which have claimed multiple lives lately. Violators will be prosecuted under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 25^th, 2014.