Quetta on high alert ahead of Muharram processions

Balochistan CM appeals to people to cooperate with law enforcing agencies to maintain law and order

QUETTA: Security in Quetta remained on high alert on Monday for mourning processions of Ashura.

Heavy contingents of Frontier Corps, police, Balochistan Constabulary, Anti-Terrorism Force and Balochistan Levies were deployed in the city.

Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch chaired a high-level meeting to review the law and order situation following the suicide attack at Wagah Border in Lahore.

“We have revised the security plan for Muharram processions. There would be stringent security measures to foil any attempt of terror,” the chief minister said.

“Around 744 processions will be taken out and we have categorised them as ‘most sensitive’, ‘sensitive’ and ‘normal’ to provide them a foolproof security,” Baloch added.

Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti, Corps Commander Nasser Hussain Janjua, IG FC Ejaz Shahid, IG Police, home secretary, regional police officer and other security officials attended the meeting.

Baloch appealed to the people of Quetta to cooperate with law enforcing agencies to maintain law and order.

“People should inform the police when they find any suspect or suspicious object,” he said.

Further, he strongly condemned the Wagah carnage and termed it as an ‘inhuman act’ by sick minded people.

All the roads and streets leading to procession routes were sealed off by security forces in order to thwart any untoward incident.

All the shops in Liaquat Bazaar, Bacha Khan Chowk, Prince Road, Abdul Sattar Road and adjoining neighbourhoods were shut after sunset and mobile phone services were suspended.