Security plans for Ashura procession finalised

5,700 policemen will be deployed at different routes of the main Ashura procession in Karachi.

KARACHI:

CCPO Karachi Fayyaz Leghari has said that all security arrangements for Muharram processions in the city have been finalised.

Addressing the media in Karachi, Leghari said that 5,700 policemen will be deployeed at different routes of the main Ashura procession. Rangers will also provide security on the three days of Ashura. He added that an emergency evacuation plan has also been chalked out.

Fears of an attack

Officials warn that there is a strong possibility of a terrorist strike on mourning processions in Karachi this Muharram, The Express Tribune learnt in an earlier report. The situation is graver especially because militants who carried out the attacks on Ashura and Chehlum last year are still operating without hindrance. In fact, there is a huge split in the police and intelligence community about who actually was involved in those incidents.

“In my opinion, this is the most dangerous time of the year,” said Special Investigation Unit (SIU) Chief SSP Raja Umer Khattab.