LAKKI MARWAT: More than 2,500 policemen will be deployed to guard teams of vaccinators in Bannu during the upcoming anti-polio drive commencing from January 15, according to District Police Officer Iftikhar Shah.

Addressing a meeting on Saturday, he said that a foolproof security plan was chalked out for peaceful conduct of polio eradication campaign. He said that a total of 2,722 personnel would perform security duty with mobile teams and at fixed centres.

The meeting was attended by deputy superintendents of police (DSPs), SHOs and other police officials. Besides setting up temporary checkpoints, patrolling will be increased on roads and highways during the five-day campaign.

Matters pertaining to free, fair and peaceful conduct of February 8 general elections were also discussed in the meeting. Mr Shah directed the relevant authorities to utilise all available resources to ensure safe dispatch of polling staff along with relevant material to the polling stations in the district.

He asked the policemen to implement anti-polio drive security plan in letter and spirit and ensure provision of foolproof security to vaccinators. In Lakki Marwat, DPO Tariq Habib also chaired a meeting to finalise security arrangements for upcoming elections. DSPs, SHOs and heads of police posts attended the meeting.

Mr Tariq said that all available resources would be put in place for peaceful conduct of general elections. He said that police would perform assigned duties and responsibilities with professional commitment.

ARREST: Police on Saturday claimed to have arrested a cattle thief and recovered stolen goats from him during a raid in Ghoriwala area of Bannu district.

A police official told Dawn that on the night of Dec 31, thieves had stolen 22 goats from two houses in Paindakhel Karak village. He said that Ghoriwala police traced one of the thieves and arrested him during a raid.

He said that the arrested suspect identified as Arshadullah, a resident of North Waziriastan, disclosed the name of his accomplice. He said that police handed over animals to owners and intensified efforts to bring to book the accomplice of the arrested thief.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2024