Law enforcement authorities have tightened the security of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other high-profile personalities in the wake of a Punjab Home Department warning of an assassination plot by India’s Research & Analysis Wing (RAW).
In a circular issued on October 9, the Punjab Home Department stated that RAW, in collusion with some banned organisations, could hit important political personalities, including Premier Sharif.
The home department has directed the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to strengthen security of the premier and Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, who heads the banned Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) – both of whom, according to the government, are likely targets. Among other likely targets are high-profile personalities, some of whom are part of the present government.
Police and other law enforcement agencies have advised all the high-profile personalities to stay vigilant during public movement.
The claim that RAW could garner support from proscribed groups for its attacks has resulted in massive police crackdowns on regional offices of such outfits.
After Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) chief Malik Ishaq was killed in a police encounter in Muzaffargarh on July 29, his militant group had announced that Ishaq’s killing would be avenged. Punjab Home Minister Col (r) Shuja Khanzada was killed in a suicide attack on his political office in Shadi Khan near Attock on August 15. And police saw the LeJ’s involvement in the incident.
Law enforcement officials believe the LeJ would support RAW in carrying out specific targeted attacks on Nawaz Sharif and his younger brother, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
