2000 police personnel deputed for Chand Raat, Eid congregations

RAWALPINDI: The police has finalised security arrangements and deputed more than 2,000 police officials for the upcoming"Chand Raat" and Eid-ul-Fitr prayers to avoid any untoward incident across the Rawalpindi district said City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi Azhar Hameed Khokhar.

Talking to APP he said elaborate security arrangements have been made under comprehensive security plan devised in this regard.

He said police personnel deputed at city's police stations have also been directed to keep a vigilant eye on all crowded places situated in their respective jurisdictions. The steps have been taken in the wake of increasing rush in markets before Eid and the upcoming "Chand Raat." He informed that special directives have been passed on to police officials to ensure patrolling in their respective areas and pay surprise visits at police pickets set up within their jurisdictions.

Important religious places, markets, bazaars and other public places are being provided security cover.

CPO Azhar Hameed Khokhar told,"The city police is fully alert and keeping a vigilant eye on anti-state elements."

He said that more than 2,000 police personnel would perform security duty in Rawalpindi district on "Chand Raat" and Eid days. He said that special instructions had been given to officers concerned to ensure 24-hour patrolling in their areas, adding that SHOs themselves were carrying out patrolling in their jurisdictions.

He said that almost all security arrangements had been completed to avoid any untoward incident on "Chand Raat" and Eid.

He requested the public to cooperate with the police in curbing terrorist elements in the city and immediately inform the authorities after observing any suspicious movement in any area of the city.

He said additional police personnel have been deployed particularly to cover main city markets, mosques and other religious congregations while 15 check posts have been established to check vehicles at entry and exit points of the city. Rapid response squads have also been formed, he informed. Under tight security arrangements made by the police, main city markets are being covered by armed police officers while police personnel in plain clothes have also been deployed in the markets with the consultation of traders. He said, best security arrangements with available resources were made to ensure security of the religious places, mosques and city markets.

He said each police station of Rawalpindi city, has been provided additional 20 police personnel.

All out efforts are being made for the protection of the citizens and best possible arrangements are being made in the regard, he added.

To a question he said that more than 200 one-wheelers have been arrested during Ramadan-ul-Mubarik while the activity is strictly being checked on city roads.