RAWALPINDI: Following the attack on a school in Peshawar, Punjab police who had been receiving intelligence reports of possible terrorist attacks on schools, issued directives to deploy Elite Force commandos around certain schools across the province on Tuesday.

The Punjab home department had received a number of intelligence reports, with the latest one in mid-November, warning of possible attacks by militants on international schools.

However, law enforcement agencies appeared to have taken these warnings lightly as no extra security measures were taken in the last few weeks.

On Tuesday the Inspector General of Punjab Police (IGP) issued a directive saying “Special attention should be given to security at army, missionary, co-educational and international schools and colleges, in light of the Peshawar incident”.

The IGP in a meeting with senior army officials finalised a plan to ensure security at schools in the cantonment area of the garrison city. Special directives have also been issued to ensure security at Army Public Schools located at Kuatchery Chowk, Lal Kurti, Westridge and Defence Housing Authority.

Numerous intelligence reports of possible attack on schools were communicated in the last month

Regional Police Officer Akhtar Umar Hayat Laleka told Dawn: “A fresh security plan has been made for all schools, especially APS.”

“Elite Force commandos will be deployed at schools identified to be at a greater risk of attack and patrolling around other schools will be increased,” the RPO said.

“Earlier we had been concerned about safety of government installations but after today’s tragedy in Peshawar, the sphere of tightened security will be expanded to schools,” RPO Laleka said.

The law enforcement agencies have also directed the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) to take extra security measures in all educational institutions in the capital.

Sources said Islamabad police have informed the education department that terrorists could launch an attack in Islamabad.

“We passed on a general instruction to all educational institutions, asking them to remain vigilant,” said a senior police officer.

“After the Peshawar incident security measures are being taken for educational institutions, particularly schools and proper deployment of security personnel has been approved. Every police station has been instructed to send at least one patrolling team to areas where schools are located,” he said.

The police officer said a few days ago intelligence agencies had alerted Islamabad, Rawalpiindi, Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar that militants could target educational institutions.

“Keeping this in view, we had approached school administrators and asked them to take security measures. Following the Peshawar incident, we have asked them to remain vigilant,” the officer said.

He said heads of all schools had been directed to check school vans and buses and to remain vigilant, especially at the school opening and closing times. Administrators had also been asked to prevent students and parents from gathering in front of institutions, he said.

“They were also asked to keep the main gate closed and ask the watchman/guards to patrol buildings,” he added.

The police officer said all heads of schools were told that in case they see any suspicious activity, police should immediately be informed.

Meanwhile, FDE spokesman Tahir Bhatti said schools will be taking all possible measures to ensure the security of students and teachers.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2014