RAWALPINDI: Punjab has requested the federal government to deploy Rangers to further strengthen security around Sahiwal’s ‘high security prison’ as more than 450 terrorists convicted by the military and civilian courts have been detained there.

An official of the prison department said there were intelligence reports that militant groups were planning to attack the prison to set free high-profile and convicted terrorists.

He said Rangers had been deployed at the jail, but due to their other engagements they had been withdrawn a couple of months ago. However, in view of the terror threat and the security situation, the Punjab government had sought deployment of more than 130 personnel of the paramilitary force to ensure foolproof security for the jail, he added.

The official said the deputy commissioner and district police officer had been directed to visit the Sahiwal prison to review security arrangements and chalk out a foolproof security plan.

He said all the convicted terrorists had been shifted from other jails in the province to the prison as it met the high standard of security that could not be breached.

The official said foolproof security measures were also being taken for other district and central jails across the province.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2017