Baseless: ‘Police posts and pickets can’t stand up to rain, let alone terrorists’

Crumbling structures of posts pose constant threat to officials present inside.

PESHAWAR:

Surrounded by a bullet-proof check post, police should feel relatively secure—that is, if they had any ground to stand on.

“Sure, it’s bullet-proof and that is why it hasn’t been destroyed in terror attacks,” said a police official while referring to the Mashogagar police post which was constructed two years ago. “Except its basement has sunk in,” he added with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

It’s a wonder the police are able to provide any protection in the first place. Their posts and pickets lay in tatters, making them a soft target for terrorists.

Sajid Iqbal Shaheed police post in a dilapidated condition. PHOTOS: MAHWISH QAYYUM/EXPRESS

Seeking anonymity, the police official told The Express Tribune that a number of posts in the Walled City can’t even stand up to rain, let alone terrorists. He recalled that a downpour caused the Jani Khwar police post in Mattani to collapse, resulting in the death of four FC personnel on March 2.

“The post was established in a rented house,” he said. “FC and army jointly man police posts in rural areas because they share borders with the tribal belt and remain vulnerable to terror attacks.”

The official added Spin Qabar, Mali Khel, Shahab Khel, Mashogagar and Chowki Mumraiz police posts in Badhaber were on the verge of collapse. The Mera Mattani police post along with others in Mattani were in similar condition.

He said the force, through Rural SP Shakir Bangash, informed CCPO Ijaz Ahmad about the shambolic state of affairs in writing on
March 3.

They hoped action would be taken by senior officials.

Officials at Mathra and Urmar police stations also said a number of posts in rural areas lay in tatters. “These posts are made of mud, wood and bricks and can easily be washed away by rain,” an official stated. “Many posts have developed cracks and leaks.”

Shamshatoo police post in Urmar is falling apart, said an insider. IGP Nasir Khan Durrani was told about the shabby condition of the post during a visit. He added Durrani had issued instructions for the reconstruction of the post with all basic facilities, however, little has been done since.

A shorter version of this story was published in The Express Tribune, March 6^th, 2015.