RAWALPINDI: Due to recent terror attacks across the country, the Rawalpindi regional police officer (RPO) has directed the city police officer (CPO) and district police chiefs in Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal to involve the community while making unannounced inspections of public sites that have been declared ‘vulnerable’ to terrorism.

The Special Branch of Punjab police have already begun a survey of public parks, educational institutions, hospitals, government buildings, places of worship, banks and shopping centres to determine their vulnerability to terrorism.

Places found to be ignoring standard operating procedures for security will be sealed, a senior security official told Dawn.

The official said field staff of the Special Branch has begun the survey, and the report will be sent to the provincial government for further action.

RPO Mohammad Sultan Raja on Wednesday directed police across the Rawalpindi division to involve the local community while inspecting public places and government buildings that have been declared “more vulnerable” to terrorism.

He said the aim of involving the community and community representatives was to dispel any confusion or questions raised by locals.

Mr Raja directed the police to inspect such places in their respective limits for four hours every day, while intelligence-based and search operations will be planned according to the intelligence, and force should be used according to the sensitivity of the targets to avert any losses.

He said extra police personnel should be deployed at entry and exit points, and all the personnel deployed at police checkpoints should wear bulletproof jackets and helmets, and CCTV cameras should be fixed at the pickets.

He also directed that temporary police pickets should be removed, and only those checkpoints should continue to function that are equipped according to SOPs.

Mr Raja directed the police to conduct patrolling under the supervision of station house officers and deputy superintendents for two hours day.

“Police personnel should be on alert while conducting checking, and improve their preparedness to cope with any untoward situation,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2016