Daily Times

LAHORE: Police on Sunday finalised a security plan for Eidul Azha, deputing more than 5,000 police officers to safeguard the citizens against any untoward incident across the provincial capital.

Lahoris would perform Eid prayers in 3,300 mosques, imambargahs, open places and grounds under tight security arrangements tomorrow. Police would perform their security duties at all important mosques and markets, while snipers would also be deployed at all important rooftops of mosques as well as other sensitive areas.

Rangers would remain high alert during Eid holidays to cope with any untoward incident. A spokesman of Rangers assured that active platoon of Rangers would be ready to perform its security duties on any emergency call within few minutes.

More than 2,500 mosques, imambargahs and open places in Lahore have been declared sensitive. Checking of people through metal detectors would be ensured on the entry points of markets, while parking arrangements have also been completed with the collaboration of traffic police. Similarly, police would be deployed in graveyards and entertainment places as well.

The department would also seek help from Elite Police Force, Mujahid Force, Quick Response Force, in addition to personnel in plainclothes from other intelligence agencies, for round-the-clock patrolling in all sensitive areas during the Eid days.

Police high-ups have ordered to depute special trained snipers on rooftops of buildings located adjacent to important public places such as mosques, government installations, buildings and offices. The steps have been taken in the wake of increasing rush in markets before Eid.

Talking to Daily Times, a senior police officer said that a high profile meeting of senior police officers has been held to finalise the security plan to maintain law and order in the city during Eid days.

He said that police high ups have passed on strict directions, asking concerned officials to ensure patrolling in their respective areas and pay surprise visits to police pickets set up within their jurisdictions. “Upon receiving directions, all police officers concerned passed on the orders to station house officers (SHOs) to ensure the implementation of the security plan in letter and spirit and stay guard at important religious places, markets, bazaars and other public places within their respective areas,” he added.

SHOs serving in different police stations across the city, asking not to be named, told Daily Times that they have already tightened security at places of worship, markets and other important areas for Eid holidays.

CCPO Lahore Amin Wains and DIG Operations Dr Hiader Ashraf said that a comprehensive security plan has been chalked out for Eidul Azha under which more than 6,000 police constables, volunteers and officers would perform duties in order to provide foolproof security at all mosques and open places where Eid prayers would be held.

The CCPO directed the chief traffic officer to prepare a special traffic plan to ensure smooth flow of traffic on roads during the holidays and directed that additional traffic wardens be deputed at important roads and busy areas. He directed to make foolproof arrangements at the entry and exit points of the city, important buildings, bus and wagon stands, business centres etc. and depute officials plainclothes to remain vigilant in this regard.