RAWALPINDI: The Punjab police chief has banned leaves of personnel in the light of intelligence reports that terror groups may target the participants of protests planned by the opposition parties.

In a directive, it has been conveyed to all the divisional police chiefs, the commandant Punjab Constabulary, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Special Branch and Special Protection Unit (SPU), traffic police and other police wings that all types of casual leaves of police have been banned till further orders.

The orders issued by IGP Arif Nawaz Khan stated that the political and religious parties had planned protests and were also expected to stage a sit-in in Islamabad that could be detrimental to the peaceful atmosphere of the province.

It was stated that during the demonstrations, terror groups might get a chance to target the participants. As such, there is a dire need to ensure availability of sufficient strength of the Punjab police to tackle any law and order situation in the province. Meanwhile, citing intelligence reports, the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) alerted provincial police chiefs of the four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, commandant of Frontier Constabulary and directors-general Rangers of Punjab and Sindh that a terror group might attack various government and civilian installations and prominent political and religious persons to create unrest in the country.

The Nacta directive issued to all the concerned authorities said the terror group might stage an attack by lobbing grenades along with gunfires after entering compounds of government and civilian installations.

In view of the intelligence, the law enforcement agencies and police have been asked to remain alert and take proper security measures to avoid any untoward incident.

Also on Tuesday, City Police Officer Mohammad Faisal Rana said the police had been put on alert and were taking all possible measures to ensure rule of law.

Assuring the people that their civil freedoms will be protected, he said those expected to create law and order situation would be closely monitored.

The CPO said proscribed organisations and individuals placed on the fourth schedule of ATA were not allowed to take part in any political activity in any case. He directed the police officers to ensure round-the-clock patrolling on roads as part of the overall security plan.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2019