KOHAT: The police issued a special threat alert for all 44 imambargahs located on Hangu Road close to the tribal areas on Tuesday.

According to a statement issued by the office of district police officer here, the alert had been issued in view of Jamaatul Ahrar’s threat to the Shia sect besides all educational institutions and sensitive installations. The four imambargahs situated in Kohat city bazaars had also been conveyed the warning.

The SHO of Ustarzai police station called a meeting of all the caretakers of imambargahs and asked them to beef up security and keep vigil on the movement of people in the surroundings. He also called for taking precautionary measures while allowing stay of guests in Imambargahs, which was a common practice in the region.

Shia travellers right from Kurram Agency and Orakzai Agency could stay in any imambargah on way to Kohat where free boarding and food facilities had been provided.

The police PRO told this scribe that in addition to the police who performed their duties in two shifts, private guards were also deputed at the imambargahs.

Moreover, imambargahs had been allowed to keep licenced Kalashnikovs for safety of the people inside.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2017