MUZAFFARABAD/GILGIT: Given the fresh spate of terrorist attacks across the country, government officials in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) have suggested enforcement of the toughest administrative measures to nip the menace in the bud.

A joint meeting of police and administration officials of Muzaffarabad division, presided over by Inspector General of Police Bashir Ahmed Memon, discussed the security situation in AJK on Friday.

Referring to the recent terrorist attack on a Shia cleric, the officials said the widespread protests and road blockades by the Shia community had diverted the attention of the security forces from the arrest of the attackers to maintaining the law and order in the city.

IGP Memon said it was surprising that the black car the attackers were driving was not intercepted by any policeman. He directed police officials to increase vigilance in their respective jurisdiction to thwart any attempt to divest the region of its exemplary peace and harmony.

The meeting pointed out how many official vehicles were not using proper registration plates issued by the excise and taxation department, a practice that could help terrorists.

“Since policemen rarely stop green number plate wielding vehicles, anyone can use the number plate on their vehicle and easily pass through the checkpoints,” an official said. He stressed that strict directives should be issued for display of sanctioned registration plates by all official vehicles.

Security situation in GB

Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies in Gilgit-Baltistan beefed up security at exit and entry checkposts and started search operations against suspects in hotels and other areas.

A high-level meeting was chaired by Gilgit Commissioner Sibtain Ahmed in Gilgit which was attended by GB Inspector General Zaffar Iqbal Awan, heads of intelligence agencies and law enforcement representatives to review the security situation.

The meeting directed all intelligence agencies officials to keep a watchful eye on movement of suspects, directing all district administrations to coordinate.

It said that a security threat alert had been issued to the GB government by the federal interior ministry.

The government authorities were informed in a letter that places of worship, schools and government installations in the region were under a terrorist threat. The authorities were asked to enhance security arrangements, particularly in vulnerable areas.

An official of the city police station told Dawn on condition of anonymity that 20 suspects were arrested in Gilgit during a search operation, including seven Afghans — Yar Yar Gul, Hasan Khan, Asifullah, Samiullah, Hijirat Khan, Said Agha and Abdul Raheem — while the remaining 13 suspects belonged to other parts of the country, including Khyber Pakthunkhwa.

“They have been arrested for living illegally without CNICs and other legal documents in Gilgit. The Afghan citizens would be sent back but the locals would be investigated,’’ the police official said.

The GB chief minister, governor, and leaders of political parties, social and civil society organisations condemned the Sehwan terrorist attack and asked the government to take strong action against the country’s enemies.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2017