TAXILA: The district police chief, Israr Ahmed, reviewed arrangements on Monday for the upcoming Sikh religious festival, Baisakhi, to ensure tough security for the Gurdwara and its pilgrims.

The three-day festival will begin on April 10 at Gurdwara Punja Sahib in Hassanabdal.

Over 5,000 Sikh pilgrims will participate in the festival, out of which about 2,000 will be coming from within Pakistan and the remaining from India, Canada, the US and the UK.

During his visit, the district police chief directed the officials to adopt extraordinary security measures during the celebrations keeping in view the current wave of terrorism hitting the country.

According to the plan, a multi-layer security cover will be provided throughout the pilgrimage.

Over 1,200 policemen will be deployed, including four district superintendents, six inspectors, 11 sub-inspectors, 23 assistant sub-inspectors, 33 head constables, 606 constables, 30 women constables and over 100 plainclothes officers.

Moreover, female police commandos are being deployed for the first time for the safety of the women pilgrims.

Over 50 security cameras and walkthrough gates have been installed at the Gurdwara as well as 12 walkthrough gates, 40 metal detectors and luggage scanners at the entry points.

Security arrangements also include surveillance plans for nearby markets and bus and railway stations. Certain local shops will be closed during the festival, and traffic around the Gurdwara will be diverted.

Rescue 1122 officials, ambulances and fire department officials will also be deployed.

The pilgrims will not be allowed to leave the Gurdwara during their three-day stay and accommodation will be provided within the premises.