Stringent security measures adopted for Muharram

G-B govt seeks two bomb disposal squads from Interior Ministry to strengthen Muharram security arrangements.

GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) government has sought two bomb disposal squads from the Interior Ministry to strengthen its security arrangements for Muharram, an official told The Express Tribune on Wednesday.

“Two bomb disposal squads will be provided to us before the month of Muharram starts,” Home Secretary Asif Bilal said while briefing media in Gilgit.

Bilal said that 10 Imambargahs in Gilgit have been declared highly sensitive and that the district has been divided into 20 zones, with each zone coming under the supervision of a senior police official.

“Around 1,600 policemen will guard the sensitive points of the town that has fallen prey to sectarian violence in the past,” he said.

The Pakistan Rangers and Scouts will also assist police in maintaining law and order.

Asif Bilal said that the Pakistan Army would remain on standby to assist other law enforcement agencies, as and when required.

Giving details of the security plan, he further said that other districts of G-B will also be provided additional forces to ensure foolproof security during processions and other religious events.

Ten platoons of Scouts have also been provided to the region, he said, adding that security in Astore, Ghizer, and Nagar areas has also been increased.

He said the G-B region has 588 imambargahs, adding that seven check posts have been setup at entry points to the region.

Besides the Karakoram Highway, the highway linking the Ghizer district with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa will also be monitored to keep an eye on passengers entering the region.

Another important step that the government has taken is to constitute a parliamentary committee to maintain a peaceful atmosphere during Muharram. The committee will work closely with local clerics to maintain peace in the region.

The Ismaili community has also assured the government of their support, he said, adding that the parliamentary committee members would work under the guidance of the Law Minister, Wazir Shakil, and members of the community would remain present on the roads on the day of Ashoora.

Asif Bilal denied rumours that security agencies had detected hidden plans aimed at sabotaging peace in these areas but said that the spillover effects of militancy from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa could not be completely ruled out.

He said that all hotels in the region were being checked as part of the security plan and that people found without identity cards would be dealt with strictly.

A list of firebrand clerics has been compiled and they will not be allowed to enter the region during this month.

Superintendent police, Sultan Azam, said that police has started several search operations in the region.

Deputy Commissioner Gilgit and all section heads of the police department were present during the press briefing.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 2^nd, 2010.