PESHAWAR, Feb 4: Police have adopted strict security measures and blocked several roads by placing cemented blocks and barbed wire in order to ensure protection to the participants of Eid Miladun Nabi (PBUH) functions and processions here today (Sunday). People have also been asked to avoid unnecessary movement in the areas of processions.

Superintendent of police Imtiaz Shah told Dawn on Saturday that 3,000 policemen had been deployed at different places to secure the procession routes while 3,000 more were on standby to give backup to the operational staff.

He said that pillion riding had not been banned, but police would strictly monitor the people moving near the routes of processions. He said that all the bazaars, hotels and working places in the routes of processions would remain closed for security purpose.

“We have plugged all the entry and exit points of the city to stop movement of suspected persons and avert any untoward incident on the eve of Eid Milad,” he said.

Mr Shah said that police were fully alert and they would have support of the paramilitary troops in case of any emergency. He said that most of the processions would be taken out in the evening on Sunday. One big procession, he said, would be taken out from Hashtnagri area after Isha prayer, which would culminate at Qissa Khwani bazaar.

Cantonment circle SP Mian Saeed said that police were fully prepared to maintain peace and keep check on the movement of suspected persons.

He said that the personnel would also remain deployed at sensitive places so that terrorists from across the border could not enter Peshawar.

About the recent bombings in Peshawar, he said that these pertained to sectarian disputes, which had taken shape of personal enmity.

An official of the city circle police said that following the recent blasts at Pakha Ghulam and Peshtakhara the police had to take stringent measures for restoration of people’s confidence in them.

He pointed out that in past clerics of Barilvi sect and shrines were attacked at different places and as such those opposing the Milad processions could create problems in case of any negligence.

However, he said that foolproof security measures had been adopted to avert any such incident.—Bureau Report