LAHORE: The Punjab government has extended Rangers stay in the province for another term of 60 days.

Some five wings of the paramilitary force are deployed in the province with primary focus on areas close to Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa borders.

The Rangers were deployed in Punjab following recommendation of the Provincial Apex Committee that met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif after a suicide bomb attack on The Mall in Lahore in February last, wherein Chief Traffic Officer/DIG Capt Mubeen and other police officials were martyred.

The Rangers were tasked to conduct intelligence-based operations in collaboration with the CTD in Punjab. The last extension expired on Friday.

The Punjab government sent a summary to the federal government which accorded the approval.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2017