July 20, 2007	Friday	Rajab 04, 1428

RAWALPINDI, July 19: In the wake of almost daily terrorist attacks on police and security forces in the country, the city’s traffic police on Thursday closed its office for issuing driving licenses for two weeks.

Senior Superintendent of Police Sabir Ahmed confirmed the closure to Dawn but said the reason was that the computer software in the traffic office was being upgraded for smoother and quicker operations.

“It would not have been possible to install the new software and keep the public dealings going on. We, therefore, have stopped issuing driving licences till August 1,” the SSP said.

He said the step had “nothing to do” with Thursday’s terrorist attack on the police training college at Hangu which killed several policemen and civilians.

A security source however said there were intelligence reports that terrorists might strike police offices dealing with public elsewhere too.

A police official said the Rawalpindi traffic police office, situated in cantonment area, had been closed to deny terrorists a target crowded with people.

As a further security step, entry of vehicles into the office’s parking area has been banned.

Office staff has started parking its vehicles out of sight, perhaps to give the impression that there is nobody inside.

Similarly, the road in front of the City Police Office (CPO) and the District Nazim’s office has been closed to public and heavily armed policemen have been deployed at its entry and exit points.

“We are taking no chances. The tightened security is intended to deter terrorists,” a senior police official said.

Regional Police Officer Nasir Khan Durrani meanwhile has directed all district coordination officers (DCOs) in the region to take appropriate security measures.

They have been told to install Close Circuit Television cameras in the district and sessions courts, offices of the district Nazims and the district police officers (DPOs) and walk- through gates at the entry points of their offices.

A Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) document has also been circulated detailing the safety measures to be taken at District Police Lines, Police Stations and police offices.