RAWALPINDI: The local administration will deploy 1,600 police personnel to ensure security of 2,265 mosques and 197 Imambargahs on the eve of Shab-i-Barat on Saturday.

The mosques and imambargahs have been divided in the most sensitive, sensitive, less sensitive and normal, keeping in view their sensitivities and their previous history.

SSP Operation will be supervising the security, while the SPs of Rawal, Potohar and Saddar divisions will monitor deployment in their respective areas.

A spokesperson for police said following directives of the City Police Officer Abbas Ahsan, a security plan had been prepared to ensure peace on the eve of Shab-i-Barat on Saturday.

He said 1,600 policemen included Elite Force, women police and police personnel in plain clothes while Dolphin Force will be patrolling around the most sensitive worship places.

As part of the security plan, random checking of vehicles will be carried out at police pickets while parking of vehicles close to the worship places will not be allowed.

The spokesperson said the police had been directed to keep strict check on firing in jubilation and brandishing weapons and treat violators of ban in accordance with law.

All the sub-divisional police officers SDPOs will brief the police personnel at their duty spots.

Police will also keep an eye on suspicious people roaming around mosques and Imambargahs. Though there has been no specific threat, police have been prepared to thwart any attempt to disturb peace in the city.

Extra traffic wardens will also be deployed in different parts of the city to maintain traffic.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2019