RAWALPINDI: Armed policemen have been deployed in all branches of the Police Lines Headquarters as part of heightened security in the wake of Monday’s bombing of a mosque in Peshawar.

According to sources, armed personnel were deployed at the offices of the CPO, SPs, secur+-*ity branch, establishment branch, motor transport wing etc., located in the Police Lines Headquarters.

Additionally, all police stations have been directed to exercise heightened vigilance. The same guidance was issued to the traffic police and other establishments.

The decision was taken in the wake of the terrorist attack on a mosque at the Police Lines in Peshawar which left more than 30 people, including police officials, martyred and many others injured.

Moreover, extra barriers have been erected in the police lines and entry of personnel has been subjected to strict checking. Armed police patrolling has also been started around government buildings and sensitive installations in the city.

Police patrolling teams have been directed to wear bulletproof jackets and exercise vigilance.

A senior official said intelligence agencies had issued a warning three days ago: “A meeting of sub-groups of defunct Tehreek-i-Taliban such as Bali Khayara group, Astrana Group and Gandapur Group was held in tehsil Paroa in D.I. Khan, KP wherein a terrorist group camp comprising was formulated with the objective to carry out terrorist activity to target government installations, educational institutions and law enforcement agencies to take revenge of Bannu incident.”

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2023