MANSEHRA: The security of Mansehra jail has been put on high alert after a threat of possible attack by miscreants.

“In view of the threat the security of the jail has been put on high alert and personnel of elite force are deployed in and around it,” said Mansehra jail superintended Abdul Qayyum on Wednesday.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa home department in its alert issued the other day warned of possible attacks on Mansehra and Haripur jails. Scores of criminals from Abbottabad district are being kept in Mansehra jail.

Security posts have also been established at the central gate and elite force personnel with heavy arms deployed around the jail.

“We are thankful to the district and divisional administration of Hazara for taking additional security measures for the protection of jail as commissioner and DIG Hazara, and deputy commissioner and SSP Mansehra visited the jail and assured their full support,” said Mr Qayyum.

He said that light and heavy automatic machine guns, which could hit targets at long and short range, had also been installed at the five watch towers. He said that in view of attack on Dera Ismail Khan jail the heavy duty electric generator, scan machine and metal detectors were also installed at the Mansehra jail.

“We are taking additional precautionary measures as mobile phone jammers and closed circuit cameras are also being installed in and around the jail,” said the superintendent.

He said that they were thoroughly scanning the visitors coming to meet their relatives besides keeping a strict vigil on people moving around the jail.

He said that pistols, which fire red and green lights, up to large distance, had also been provided to the jail administration. Armoured vehicle was also parked at the jail along with commandos to cope with any untoward situation.