RAWALPINDI: Police have been asked to beef up security around police installations, churches and the convent school in light of intelligence that the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was planning to target sensitive places.

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Rawalpindi Region informed the regional police officer (RPO) to take immediate security measures. According to sources, the CTD Rawalpindi Region (CTD) informed RPO Nasir Mehmood Satti that a terrorist group of TTP (Qari Faqeer group) was planning to carry out terrorist attacks on churches, the police picket on Dhamial Road, Punjab Highway Patrol (PHP), imambargah and mobile patrolling police.

The RPO has directed the city police officer and district police officers of Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal to strengthen security around police installations and other important buildings to avert an attack.

On the other hand, as part of preparations being made to set up a collection point in Rawalpindi for material evidence in all serious crimes, the in-charge of Satellite Station Crime Scene Unit Mudassar Naseer and Junior Forensic Scientist Waqas Khalid Qureshi held a meeting with RPO at his office on Monday.

A police spokesman said the scope of the investigation unit was discussed.

The RPO said for convenience of the officers of Rawalpindi region, arrangements were being made to establish an evidence receiving unit with a satellite station.

Investigation officers of all districts will not have to go to Lahore to submit parcels of material evidence and it will also be easier to consolidate the investigation of cases in less time.

Mr Satti, while issuing instructions to CPO Syed Shahzad Nadeem Bukhari, said in serious cases, timely summoning of a crime scene unit team should be ensured so that material evidence can be completed and delivered in a correct manner.

Steps are being taken to acquaint investigation officers with modern methods of investigation as well as to remedy the problems faced by them, the RPO said.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2023