QUETTA, Jan 19: Army troops were deployed in the city on Saturday to maintain law and order during Ashura.The decision was taken at a meeting held to review security arrangements made for the 10th Muharram. It was presided over by Maj-Gen Tariq Rasheed.

Around 7,000 personnel of police, Balochistan Constabulary and Frontier Corps have also been deployed in the city. Shops, hotels and houses located on the route of the main procession were sealed on Saturday to avert any untoward incident.

Capital City Police Officer Mohammad Akbar told Dawn that all streets and roads leading to main routes of the procession had also been closed by putting trucks and other barricades on their entry points.

He said that all security arrangements had been finalised and army helicopters would fly over the procession. Security cameras have been installed at various places in Liaquat Bazar, Prince Road, Meezan Chowk and other areas to monitor the procession.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sardar Mohammad Saleh Bhootani visited several areas of the city and reviewed security arrangements.

Balochistan Inspector-General of Police Saud Gohar briefed the chief minister about the security measures and said that strict steps had been taken to ensure peace during Ashura across the province.

He said that security forces had been deployed in five sensitive cities, including Quetta, Bolan, Khuzdar, Nasirabad and Jaffarabad.

Mr Bhootani asked the authorities concerned to take all possible measures for maintaining peace and order during the 10th Muharram.

Meanwhile, a procession of the 9th Muharram was taken out in Mach. The procession after marching on its traditional routes arrived in Quetta in the evening.