Beefing it up: Security for Imran in Karachi

KARACHI: The police have come up with an elaborate plan for the PTI chief Imran Khan's security during his stay in Karachi.

The cricketer-turned-politician arrived in Karachi on Wednesday evening. He is visiting the city to campaign for the upcoming by-election in the NA-246 constituency. Imran plans to visit the constituency on Thursday.

"He [Imran Khan] will visit the constituency, meet the people and visit the party's election camp office," PTI leader Dawa Khan told The Express Tribune. "Besides visiting the constituency, he will also meet the traders and other [important] personalities."

According to a senior police official, the primary responsibility of providing security to Imran is that of the police while the Rangers will be there as a supporting force.

To protect the PTI chief and to ensure that the day passes peacefully, the police have devised a security plan. According to the plan, hundreds of police personnel including commandos will be deployed on security duty while armoured personnel carriers will also accompany Imran's convoy. Moreover, snipers will be deployed in the surrounding buildings and multiple teams of the bomb disposal squad will sweep the area before his visit.

Besides uniformed personnel, plain-clothed personnel will also be deployed for surveillance to avoid any untoward incident. According to an officer, the police have to take care of three main concerns on the occasion: a bomb blast by militant outfits, a targeted attack on the PTI chief and political clashes.