QUETTA, Oct 11: Army has started patrolling the city and more than 1,500 policemen led by Inspector General Dr Shoaib Suddle and Deputy Inspector General Humayun Jogezai came out in a ‘flag march’ on Jinnah Avenue and other parts of the city on Thursday to pre-empt any trouble on Friday in view of US and British attacks on Afghanistan.

Jamiat-i-Ulema Islam (JUI) has called for a country-wide strike to protest against US coalition attacks on Afghanistan.

According to PPI news agency army has been called out in Quetta city on Thursday afternoon to maintain law and order.

When contacted, District Coordination Officer (DCO) Quetta, Akhtar Muneer Marwat confirmed to PPI deployment of army in the city.

Quetta was the scene of worst violence last Monday when religious parties including JUI took out protest rallies following all night raids by US-led coalition aircraft on Kandahar, Kabul, and Jalalabad. Violence continued on Tuesday claiming four lives in two days.

During the protests three cinema halls, about a dozen banks, three wine stores and a large number of shops were also damaged.

Induction of a new corp commander, Lt. General Qadir Baloch and replacement of the former DIG police, Quetta Habibur Rehman with Humayun Jogezai, appear to have given a boost to an otherwise demoralised police force.

Police is blamed to have retreated on Monday virtually giving a free hand to the protesters.

Heavy police contingents have been posted at all strategic points since Wednesday but the IG decided to lead a flag march himself on Thursday with all police officers and his force.