ISLAMABAD: The law enforcement agencies have further strengthened security and deployed over 15,000 personnel in the federal capital in connection with Muharram-ul-Haram. An official said 15,000 security personnel who had been deployed include personnel of Islamabad police, Rangers, and Frontier Constabulary (FC) for guarding of different processions.

The government has also decided to suspend mobile phone services in the areas surrounding the routes of Muharram 9 and 10 (Saturday and Sunday) processions. The main procession will be taken out from the Markazi Imambargah in G-6/2 on 9th Muharram, and will culminate at the same venue after passing through its traditional route.

He said the routes of main Ashura procession would be sealed completely through barged wires as well as concrete blocks and streets leading to the main processions would also be barricaded. The official said as per the security plan closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, scanners and walk-through gates had been installed at various routes of the processions. The law enforcement agencies would also conduct aerial surveillance through helicopter of majalis and processions, he said.

He said under the security plan, police would conduct checking of participants of majalis and processions through using metal detectors. Under the plan, five-layer security arrangements will be made at the main procession, which will cover three to four kilometers radius around the procession, he said.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Aamir Zulfiqar directed the SSP (Traffic) to make traffic plan and ensure smooth flow of traffic on alternate routes during the processions. He said that it should be ensured that parking lots were far away from Imambargahs.

Strict vigilance should be maintained to ensure that security measures are in place by the police, and the SOPs issued by the government are being followed, the IGP maintained. He said bomb disposal squad would conduct checking of routes through robots and modern technology, while entry of participants in the procession would be ensured after complete checking.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020