Security beefed up across city

Major roads and shopping centres have been barricaded

LAHORE: Police placed barricades at several places across the city on Friday following a terror threat following a directive by Operations DIG Haider Ashraf.

Officials said police had barricaded thoroughfares and shopping centres after receiving the threat. They said DIG Ashraf had also instructed constables manning the barricades to remain vigilant and inspect suspicious vehicles for arms and explosives. He directed them to search vehicles with government number plates too preempt any untoward incident. DIG Ashraf ordered officials to ensure that they contacted the bomb disposal squad if they chanced on unattended pieces of luggage including briefcases and suitcases. He said the constables had been provided with the requisite equipment to enable them to effectively discharge their duties.



DIG Ashraf said the police had taken the initiative to secure the live and property of the people. He said barricades had been placed across Lahore and the number of policemen manning checkpoints at all entry and exit points of the city had been increased. He said the measures had been taken in the wake of the November 2 Wagah Border bombing. Ashraf said the possibility of a terror attack could never be categorically ruled out as the army was engaged in an operation in North Waziristan and terrorists had the capability to strike any place in Pakistan.  He said security at important buildings had been beefed up and the barricades would remain in place till further orders.

Separately, the DIG appealed exhorted landlords in Lahore to submit a copy of the national identity cards of their tenants at local police stations to prevent acts of terror.

Ashraf directed all SPs to set-up desks at police stations in this regard, a statement issued on Friday said. He urged the people to remain vigilant and report the presence of suspicious elements in their areas. DIG Ashraf also directed officials to ensure that loudspeakers were used to inform the people regarding the holding of open courts to facilitate citizens before they commenced.

He said the police were using all resources at their disposal to secure the life and property of the people. DIG Ashraf said the police were committed to foiling the nefarious designs of the terrorists. He said this made it binding on the people to cooperate with the police and report suspects to them as soon as possible.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 15^th, 2014.