LAHORE – The Lahore Police have taken measures to ensure foolproof security on the Eid Miladun Nabi to avoid any untoward incident in the provincial metropolis. Police have deployed around 1,000 policemen to perform duty on routes of processions, at and around sensitive and important installations while 1,600 Mujahid Squad officials and 25 Elite Force vehicles will patrol the streets.
The City Traffic Police have also chalked out a traffic plan and deployed around 500 traffic wardens to maintain a smooth traffic flow. Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Captain (r) Mobin directed seven deputy superintendents of police (DSP), 20 inspectors and 410 wardens to monitor routes of processions. Mobin directed wardens to a keep vigilant look on suspicious elements and vehicles besides managing traffic in the city.
He also requested citizens to dial traffic police help line 042-1915 or listen to City Traffic Radio FM 88.8 in order to seek guidance regarding the traffic situation. According to police, around 9,000 officers would perform duty to protect 77 events and processions in various areas of the city. Officials from the Special Branch and intelligence agencies would also help police in maintaining law and order.
According to Mujahid Squad Superintendent of Police (SP) Muntazir Mehdi, officials would patrol at and around sensitive places and routes of processions to keep a vigilant look on suspicious elements. He said that checking at entry and exit points of the city has also been intensified and officials have been ordered to check all suspicious people.
Police have installed walk-through gates and metal detectors while roof-top duties have also been assigned and snipers would remain deployed on routes of processions. Police have also taken surety bonds from owners of buildings, which are located at and around routes of processions. Security SP Faisal Ali Rana told Pakistan Today that the Lahore Police would continue its strategy of deploying cops in three layers to stop terrorists and all possible measure have been taken to ensure peace. He said that out of 77 events, police have declared nine as most sensitive.
Rana said that divisional SPs have been directed to ensure excessive security measures at these nine events out of which one is in Gulberg, one in Liaqatabad, one in Samanabad, one in Township and two are in the City Division Police precincts. According to sources, few Sunni leaders could be main targets of terrorists. They said that Lahore Police have been informed to intensify security especially in the Walled City, as terrorist could target processions there.
Rana said that they have information about possible terrorist attacks. “We could not spare any place considering it less sensitive and less important. We will ensure maximum security at all events of Eid Miladun Nabi”, he added. Lahore Police have also launched search operations in various areas especially on routs of processions to collect particulars of people and suspicious elements.
