PESHAWAR: Over 7,000 personnel would be deployed in the Peshawar city for security of about 79 Imambargahs and 121 mourning processions during Muharram.

Senior Superintendent of Police Operations Dr Mian Saeed told reporters here on Tuesday that police were working on a security plan to protect Imambargahs and mourning processions.

He said contingents of army, Frontier Corps and Frontier Constabulary besides police would be deployed to enhance security. He said city’s interior bazaars would be closed from fifth of Muharram and aerial monitoring of the processions would be carried out.

He said CCTV cameras and jammers would be installed along the procession routes and a control room would be set up. He said data of those staying in hotels and inns was being gathered and new people won’t be allowed to stay in hotels. Also, entry of Afghan nationals and other irrelevant people into the city would be banned.

SSP Dr Saeed said the federal government would be asked to suspend cell phone service on 9th and 10th Muharram over security concerns. He said pillion riding would not be allowed in the interior parts of the city and along procession routes.

The police officer said walkthrough gates would be installed and sniffer dogs used to ensure foolproof security.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2015

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