MARDAN: Local police officials claim the Mardan police department repeatedly wrote to the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) Mardan office asking it to enhance security measures, but the management paid no heed to the advisories.
On Tuesday, 26 people were killed and more than 50 others wounded after a suicide bomber struck Nadra's Mardan office, 60 kilometres to the southwest of Peshawar. Jamaatul Ahrar, an offshoot of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed the attack.
In the wake of threats, police had issued two advisories to Nadra’s regional office in January and October, asking it to beef up its security, Regional Police Officer Saeed Wazir earlier told Dawn.
A report by a local police officer informed his high-ups that the organisation’s regional head had refused to take the advisory.
The first security advisory issued to Nadra Mardan office on Jan 7 earlier this year by deputy superintendent of police Mardan, a copy of which is available with DawnNews, stated that in view of security threats, Nadra management should ensure foolproof security measures and advised it to raise boundary walls, install surveillance cameras and secure the main entrance gate.
The Nadra management refused to implement another security advisory from Mardan police in October, after which the police registered a First Information Report against Nadra management on Oct 16 at the city police station Mardan.
The last security advisory for enhancing security measures was issued to Nadra Mardan office on Dec 28, just a day before the suicide attack.
In the advisory, the management of Nadra was warned by Mardan police that legal action would be taken against it if it failed to enhance the security.
"It is once again directed to improve your security measures as per the guidelines mentioned in the above quoted letter otherwise necessary legal action would be taken against you," said a letter issued to Nadra by the office of DSP Mardan.
