KOHAT: Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kohat division, Awal Khan has said that the Pakistan Army has been asked to remain on standby to take full control in the most sensitive Hangu area during Muharram. He said that if the situation remained normal there would be only joint deployment of the police and army personnel like past.

He said that Orakzai mountain peak from where the mourners had been targeted in the past would be manned by the security forces.

Talking to Dawn here on Tuesday, Awal Khan said that the strength of local police was very low therefore more policemen would be called in from other peaceful districts to perform special duty. He termed the general sectarian situation in Hangu stable compared to the previous years. He said that Hangu was a manageable city where 600 policemen would be deployed on the 100 metres route, but major presence would be that of the army.

The DIG said that both Kohat and Hangu would remain sealed from 7th to 10th of Muharram and as part of security arrangements all the Afghan refugee traders and labourers would be restricted to their camps.

Kohat DIG says security situation better than previous years

According to a statement issued here, 40 checkpoints have been established within the city and on the surrounding tribal mountains for Muharram.

During a briefing, district police officer Javed Iqbal was told that foolproof security plan had been made on the directives of the home department which had declared Kohat as one of the most sensitive districts. There would be no movement of public transport for three days in the city.

Also, the deputy commissioner, Kohat, has imposed Section 144 from Sept 21 for 16 days during which there would be ban on use of loudspeaker, wall chalking, hate speeches, display of weapons, etc.

ARRESTED: The cantonment police arrested 35 suspects here on Tuesday.

A police statement said that operations were carried out in the whole cantonment area during which two Afghan nationals were also arrested for not having valid travel documents. The seizure included one Kalashnikov, two shotguns, five pistols and 20 motorcycles.

The suspects were being interrogated while cases have been registered against many of them.

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2017