KARACHI: The law enforcement agencies in Sindh have found a “nexus between sectarian terrorists and anti-state elements”, posing a threat to peace during Muharram, and the intelligence agencies have been told to keep an eye on the Indian intelligence agency RAW during the month, it emerged on Thursday.

The facts emerged during a meeting held under the chairmanship of Sindh chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah here at CM House to review security arrangements for Muharram across the province. The meeting was attended by senior minister for education and information Nisar Khuhro, home minister Sohail Siyal, chief secretary Siddique Memon, Rangers DG Major General Bilal Akbar, principal secretary to the CM Alamuddin Bullo, home secretary Mukhtiar Soomro, additional IG Karachi Mushtaq Maher and others.

“The Sindh government has declared 1,229 majalis, 384 matmi processions and 188 tazia processions as most sensitive all over the province. Therefore, there would be three-layer security cordons for processions and majalis,” said a CM House statement issued after the meeting.

“Sindh IG Ghulam Hyder Jamali while briefing the chief minister said that there are 1,521 imambargahs all over Sindh from where 11,272 majlis, 4,335 matmi processions and 1,295 tazia processions are taken out. Of them, 384 matmi processions and 188 processions have been declared most sensitive.”

Replying to a question of the chief minister, the IG said some 64,414 police personnel would be deployed to provide security to all imambargahs and processions. District SSPs under the guidance of their relevant DIGs would issue their contingency plans, added the statement.

“The meeting was informed that there were some terrorist threats from the nexus between sectarian terrorists and anti-state elements. Some high profile terrorists have been eliminated, therefore, they retaliate. Apart from it, the agencies have to keep an eagle eye on RAW.”

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2015

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