LAHORE, Feb 28: Security was heightened in the city and elsewhere in the Punjab on Friday to guard sensitive places with special focus on foreign installations and their missions.

The step was taken in view of the terrorist attack on the US Consulate in Karachi. The routine police patrol was also increased.

Additional police staff have been deployed at foreign installations. Foreigners have also been requested to restrict their movement. They have been asked to inform the police in advance if they want to travel so that their security could be arranged.

There are about 40 places in Lahore which house the offices, residences and other businesses of the foreigners. Permanent squads of different forces have been deployed there.

Besides the US Consulate and British Council, deployment has been doubled at all the places frequented by foreigners.

Meanwhile, places of worship of all sects and religions have been declared sensitive and more deployment has been made around them. Churches’ administrations have been asked to assign some of their men for the security purposes to help the police.

Meanwhile, police set up pickets in Lahore. Entries and exits to and from the city have been choked. Strict checking was being made on the pickets, which in some cases cause inconvenience to the people, especially those travelling along with women and children.

“Supervisory officers will be held responsible in case of any security lapse as the warnings had already been issued to them,” read a fax message sent by the Punjab IGP to all the police heads.