Over 10,000 police personnel deployed on security duty in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD: Security has been put on high alert in Rawalpindi with the deployment of over 10,000 police personnel, as the second round of talks between the US and Iran is expected to be held in Islamabad.

A police spokesman said more than 10,000 officers and personnel of Rawalpindi police were performing security duties, while over 600 special pickets were closely monitoring all the entry and exit routes of the city. Additional personnel have been deployed on highways.

Moreover, 400 elite commandos, 100 sharp shooters, 4,000 personnel of Punjab Highway Patrol (PHP) and 200 well-equipped personnel of Dolphin Force had been deployed in the city to ensure foolproof security on the arrival of foreign delegations.

As many as 400 elite commandos, including 100 snipers, will be part of the multi-layered security during the arrival and departure of the foreign delegations.

Sources said the deployment of security personnel started at midnight on April 18 as foreign delegations will be landing at the Nur Khan Base Chaklala before moving to Islamabad.

More than 3,600 police personnel will be deployed in the first shift starting from midnight to 12 on Sunday and 3,500 more in the second shift.

The snipers deployed on the rooftops of buildings will keep eye contact with police personnel deployed on the ground and they will be in contact with each other via wireless.

From Chohan Chowk to Koral Chowk, all link roads and streets will be blocked, while Special Branch will conduct search and sweeping in the area.

The police on Saturday released a security plan stating that following the orders of City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Mahmood Hamdani, security had been placed on high alert.

A police spokesman said a meeting was held at the Police Lines Headquarters with the CPO in the chair. Orders were issued to ensure foolproof security in the garrison city. The SSPs operations and investigation, chief traffic officer and officers from other districts participated in the meeting.

Quick Response Unit teams are also on alert patrol, while strict checking system has been implemented across the city. Security has also been further enhanced at entry points, while search, sweep, combing and intelligence-based operations have been intensified across the city.

Moreover, round-the-clock monitoring through Safe City cameras and modern technology is being maintained with officers concerned checking situation reports from the control room moment by moment, said the CPO.

Meanwhile, a special traffic plan has also been formulated to maintain traffic flow with alternative routes provided for the convenience of citizens.

Advance US, Iran security teams

Advance teams, including security officials, from the United States and Iran are likely to start arriving in Islamabad on Sunday (today) to make security and other arrangements in connection with the upcoming peace talks between the two countries.

In the meantime, the capital police and administration have asked managements of hostels of students and working people, hotels, inns and guest houses to close their premises and lock the buildings until further orders. They were warned of strict legal action in case of failure in following the orders.

It is also under consideration to close and get vacated seminaries, especially those located in the close vicinity of the high security zone.

A Tablighi ijtema is scheduled to be held in Islamabad from April 24 to 26.

Its organisers will also be asked to change the date if the peace talks are held later next week.

Furthermore, the police sealed all the entry points of Red Zone, except the point at Margalla Road, which is open only for government vehicles.

A local holiday is also likely to be announced in the capital during the peace talks.

Besides, the capital police also approached vendors, who provide containers to police for sealing roads. The vendors were asked to remain on a standby and arrange containers within hours after being asked.

About 7,000 personnel of the capital police and 4,000 of Punjab police along with 900 Federal Constabulary personnel are available for the security duty. More manpower will be sought from Punjab, FC and Rangers in case of shortage.

Moreover, the IGP Islamabad office asked all the relevant departments and authorities engaged in the security measures to make sure their officials and employees carried their identification documents and ensured the visible display of their service cards.