ATTOCK, April 5 Like other districts of the province, the Punjab government Sunday directed the Attock administration to beef up security in the aftermath of a suicide attack on the central Imambargah in Chakwal.

The provincial government asked the district police to ensure strict surveillance at all entry points to check the movement of anti-social elements from NWFP and tribal areas.

Moreover, law enforcement agencies have been asked to collect details of Afghan refugees, activists of banned religious outfits and internally displaced people from Bajaur, Swat and other tribal areas.

Meanwhile, the Attock police have further intensified security and deployed extra force around Imambargahs and other religious and public places.Similarly, sand-bag bunkers have been established at checkposts, police stations, district police lines and the District Police Headquarters. All SDPOs, SHOs and others security officials have been directed to remain vigilant and patrol sensitive areas and public places.

Shortage of staff, resources

The district police are working with just two-thirds of the required strength and facing shortage of other resources, which have been greatly undermining their capability to fight crime and, more importantly, the renewed wave of terrorism.

Attock is considered an important district because of the presence of several sensitive installations, most of them connected to the military. It also shares a 250km boarder with four NWFP districts - Nowshera, Swabi, Haripur and Kohat, making it more vulnerable to militant elements believed to be bred in the tribal areas adjoining NWFP.

Despite repeated government claims to equip the law enforcement agencies on modern lines to enable them handle terrorism incidents; the Attock police still have insufficient manpower, equipments and training.

According to statistics, Attock district has 14 police stations and six police circles with a required strength of around 2,928 policemen - 1,996 constables, 447 head constables, 254 assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs), 190 sub-inspectors (SIs) and 30 inspectors, two DSPs (Legal) and eight DSPs/ASPs.

But, surprisingly, only 2,034 police officials - 1,943 constables, 122 head constables, 67 ASIs, 72 SIs and 23 Inspectors, one DSP (Legal) and five DSPs/ASPs - are performing duties in Attock.

The more than 30 per cent shortage is affecting the performance of the district police in maintaining law and order and carrying out investigations.

Besides lack of manpower, the police also face shortage of weapons, communication equipment, body armour, metal dictators, and vehicles, especially armoured personnel carriers (APC). Similarly, there are only 60 specially-trained personnel for the Elite Force, which only has four vehicles.

Chakwal attack condemned

Religious leaders, including Ulema Board secretary general Syed Khadim Hussain Naqvi and Anjuman Janisare Hussain president Syed Nawazish Ali Kazmi, in their statements, strongly condemned the bomb blast at an Imambargah in Chakwal which killed at least 24 people and wounded dozens more.

They said such acts were being planned by people who were against the state and wanted to bring a bad name to the religion.

They asked the government to arrest the perpetrators and award them exemplary punishment. They also called for improved medical care for the injured admitted to different hospitals.