LAHORE, July 10: Authorities alerted law-enforcement agencies in the city on Tuesday to the possibility of a reaction to the Lal Masjid operation in Islamabad.

Heavy police contingents were deployed in and around all government buildings, installations, foreign consulates, multinational offices and residences of government officials and foreigners.

A large number of law-enforcers were seen deployed at the Punjab Civil Secretariat, Governor’s House, Chief Minister’s House, Punjab Assembly Hall, Town Hall, Aiwan-i-Adl, Lahore High Court and Sessions Court.

A senior police officer told Dawn that deployments around 19 madrassas of the Deoband school of thought had been increased to stop them from taking out protest demonstrations.

Capital City Police Officer Malik Muhammad Iqbal said more than 3,200 policemen had been deployed in the city.

He said at least 2,000 officials would be deployed during the visit of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chauhdry to the city on July 14.

He said Elite Force, Mujahid Squad and Muhafiz Force officials had been directed to patrol the r1oads round the clock.

Capital city police sources informed Dawn that police officers had met clerics of some religious schools, including Jamia Asharafia, to discuss security measures with them.

All divisional superintendents of police and their subordinates have been directed to remain in field and enhance patrolling in their areas, said a senior police officer.