Cellular services in Rawalpindi have been suspended for the next 24 hours for security reasons on the eve of defence day.
According to reports, the suspension of cell phone services was part of security measures to foil an attempt by terrorists to sabotage defence day celebrations.
Stringent security measures have been put in place at various locations to avoid any untoward incident.
Mobile signals went off the air across Rawalpindi at about 4pm on Monday.
According to officials, cellular services will remain suspended till Tuesday evening.
Deployment of military personnel in cantonment areas and other important locations and patrolling has been increased. A visit to different areas showed that army troops had been deployed on roads around military headquarters and the Army House.
“The armed security men will remain on guard the whole night and till the evening of September 6,” said a security official.
The troops have also increased patrolling in and around military hospitals and other important installations.
Meanwhile, the city police have also chalked out a security plan for the day.
In a press release, City Police Officer Israr Ahmed Abbasi said that as many as 1,200 police officers and personnel will carry out special security duties on Tuesday.
The officer said that strict checking and screening of vehicles would be carried out at all entry and exit points of the city.
“Personnel of the Elite Force would carry out patrolling around important installations in the city,” he said.
Abbasi further said that police personnel would also perform their duty at special checkpoints around the clock.
September 6 is celebrated to pay homage to the armed forces and their sacrifices and to commemorate Pakistan’s successful defence against India aggression during the 1965 war.
