KARACHI, Oct 8: The law-enforcement agencies have tightened security in the port city, and police have been put on high alert to meet any eventuality following the start of air strikes on Afghanistan by the United States on Sunday.

The IG Sindh, Syed Kamal Shah, told Dawn that an emergency meeting had been called on Sunday. It was attended by the DIGs, SSPs and other high officials to discuss security measures in the city and the province.

He said a contingency plan, which had already been drawn up, was in place. Asked whether there was any possibility of reaction from Afghans living along Super Highway near Sohrab Goth and supporters of the Jamiatul Ulema-i-Islam in Quaidabad, Mr Shah said: “We are reviewing all aspects to tackle the situation which has emerged following air strikes on Afghanistan.”

He said: “We are prepared and will take all necessary steps to maintain law and order.”

“A contingency plan has been prepared and security has been beefed up in the city to tackle any sharp reaction or violent agitation by Afghan settlers in the city,” a spokesman for the Sindh police had earlier quoted the provincial police chief as saying.

The IG had hinted at a possible serious law and order situation in the city in the backlash of a US attack on Afghanistan, and had said that in keeping with this possibility police had prepared themselves to combat any such situation.

Sources in the police department said specially trained commandos had been deployed at sensitive places, including the US consulate and the consulates of other countries, deputy high commissions, residences of foreign dignitaries, important government and private offices, multinational companies and important installations. Security had also been tightened at the airport, railway stations, entry and exit points of the city, shopping centres, commercial and trade centres and other places. Leaves of policemen had been cancelled.