LAHORE, Feb 8: The main Zuljinnah procession, surrounded by troops and police commandos, was taken out from Nisar Haveli at around 10:15pm on Wednesday. The procession is scheduled to culminate at Karbla Gamey Shah at sunset on Thursday.

Earlier in the evening, troops and police patrolled various city roads and elsewhere in the province. At least 50 police squads took part in the march, said Lahore operations police chief Aamir Zulfiqar Khan, who led the patrol. “We have taken stringent measures to ward off any untoward situation.”

He said police had been deployed at all entry and exit points of the city while all hotels and inns were thoroughly searched. Lahore police chief DIG Khwaja Khalid Farooq also visited various parts of the city, especially the route of the main procession. He directed his force to nab any person who seemed to be ‘suspicious’ in or around the processions.

Meanwhile, in view of reports submitted to the government by different intelligence agencies, the Punjab administration has made unprecedented security arrangements throughout the province. Sensitive areas have been spotted and manned by heavy contingent of police, army, Punjab constabulary, intelligence agencies and Elite Force.

The Punjab government has already called 48 companies of Pakistan army in reserve in 16 districts, which had been declared sensitive. Besides, Rangers and Punjab Constabulary have also been placed in reserve to be called out in case of any emergency.

The main Zuljinnah route — Mohallah Chehal Bibian, Imambargah Syed Wajid Ali Shah, Lakkar Mandi, Imambargah Mehdi Shah, Mubarik Haveli, Chowk Nawab Sahib, Kucha Qazi Khana, Imambargah Maulvi Feroz Ali, Kucha Maskinian, Mohallah Pir Gilanian, Imambargah Rajab Ali Shah, Chohata Mufti Baqar, Chowk Purani Kotwali, Kashmiri Bazaar, Sunehri Masjid, Dabbi Bazaar, Suha Bazaar, Gumti Bazaar, Said Mittha Bazaar, Tehsil Bazaar, Bazaar Hakiman, Unchi Masjid and Bhatti Chowk — was scanned by the police, city administration and army with metal detectors, bomb disposal squad and sniffer dogs.

Meanwhile, a large number of mourners were beating their chests when the main procession was taken out. They recited Nohas in groups. Cassettes of Nohas and majalis were also being played on cassette players along the route.

There were sabeels of water and milk on different points on the route. The MCL and Wapda staff were deployed along the route together with doctors and paramedical staff from different city hospitals.

The Zuljinnah procession was surrounded by personnel from different forces while the army and city administration officials were leading them.

The police were deployed at rooftops of houses alongside the procession route. The residents of the area had already been issued warnings for not opening doors and windows on the route.

The route was divided into around 30 sectors by the city administration and the police for carrying out their work effectively. A DSP was commanding each sector and officials from other agencies were helping him, especially for coordination with other sectors.

All the sectors were directed to keep themselves in touch with each other and with the control rooms set up at the city police chief’s office, DCO office and army.

Policewomen also escorted the route, women majalis and procession. They were also in reserve at women police station, Lower Mall, Civil Lines, Tibbi, Mochi and Akbari Gate police stations.

Men from police and intelligence agencies were busy making videos of the procession.