Strict security measures were observed in the city here on Monday on 9th Muharram-ul-Haram. The main Ashura procession was taken out inside walled city. Police officials in civvies, cops from Elite and Mohafiz forces, mounted force, mobile squads were deployed on the route of Zuljinnah. Foolproof arrangements for checking and screening at all entry and exit points of the city were ensured.
Comprehensive checking and screening of motorcycles, with pillion riders, carried out along with aerial monitoring of the processions passing through the approved route. Unconcerned people were not allowed to come out on the route of Zuljinnah and all kinds of traffic remain suspended on the said route, whereas close circuit cameras have also been installed alongside the routes. In order to ensure foolproof security for Yaum-e-Ashur, Quick Response Force (QRF) has also been deployed, along with Lahore Police and Rangers personnel in the city.
Special steps were taken for search and surveillance of hotels, guest houses and bus and wagon stands of the area including a close liaison with different intelligence agencies regarding route of the processions. All local Ulemas, peace committees, Mohalla committees, MNAs, MPAs and notables throughout the city were taken into confidence to ensure security arrangements. CCPO Lahore Ahmad Raza Tahir himself paid surprise visits, to review the security arrangements. All the divisional SPs personally checked the force deployment and patrolling of mobile squad in their respective areas, besides paying random visits to sensitive places.