PESHAWAR: Provincial capital City police have made extraordinary security arrangements to maintain peace and order during Muharram to avert any terrorist activity in Peshawar during mourning processions.
All the major markets in the city’s historic inner city have been closed for four days and the procession routes have been completely sealed. But are suspended. Officials said the move was taken in view of the critical law and order situation.
According to a senior police officer, more than 10,000 security personnel have been deployed across the city while rapid response units are also present at sensitive areas. The plan to deploy about 12,000 police officers and personnel for Muharram was finalized.
Security includes Rapid Response Force, Anti-Terrorist Squad, Bomb Disposal Unit, Ababil Squad, Ladies Police and Traffic Police. Three layers of security, gun posts on the roofs and additional personnel have been deployed for the processions. The processions are being monitored moment by moment through the Safe City Peshawar project.
A state-of-the-art command and control center has been set up in the city, which is being monitored through CCTV and drone cameras. All entry and exit points of the city have been strictly blocked and vehicles and pedestrians are being checked at the highest level.
According to CCP, checking at entry and exit points has been tightened. Alternative traffic routes have also been created to minimize inconvenience to the public. Mobile phone services will be partially and completely suspended in sensitive areas of Peshawar on Muharram 9 and 10 Muharram. On the 9th of Muharram, the Cant area will remain completely sealed during the main procession.
Peshawar BRT service will also remain completely closed on Muharram 9 and 10. KP police have included Peshawar among the most sensitive districts during Muharram. More than 43,000 police personnel have been deployed across the province. A separate security plan has been issued for the processions of Muharram today.
The administration has requested citizens to cooperate with security personnel and follow the instructions issued so that Muharram can be celebrated peacefully. Section 144 is also in force under which strict action will be taken against displaying weapons without permission, chanting provocative slogans and sharing hate material on social media. A public holiday has also been declared on June 25 and 26 on the occasion of Ashura.
Read also:KP Muharram Security: Partial Mobile Suspension Proposed for 9th and 10th Muharram
