LAHORE, May 7 The police claimed on Thursday having recovered 12 detonators from roadside in front of Peshawar Stand of Lorry Adda and got those defused.

City Division SP Abdul Jabbar told Dawn a tea-seller informed the police officials standing at a picket nearby that some explosives were scattered along the road. He said the police rushed to the spot and found 12 detonators which were deactivated by the Bomb Disposal Squad.

He said apparently the suspects carrying the explosives had dropped these in the open to avoid checking and arrest. The detonators, he said, were cylindrical in shape and each had metallic jacket along.

He said the police had launched manhunt at Lorry Adda, railway station, Data Darbar, Minar-i-Pakistan and other places and so far 40 suspects had been taken into custody. The SP said 20 of the suspects were captured in Lorry Adda.

He said checking at the entry points of the city had been intensified and policemen had been directed to check passenger buses in particular. He said most suspects belonged to the NWFP and tribal areas and would be quizzed.

Anti-terror measures The Punjab Home Department on Thursday issued a new advisory to the Police Department, suggesting measures to combat terrorism and protect important installations and foreigners.

In a circular sent to the Punjab police inspector general and field officers, the department asked them to sensitise people about the threat of terrorism so that they could keep an eye on suspected people. Police were asked to educate people about the risk of letting out houses to strangers. They were asked to tell people to verify particulars of people seeking houses on rent.

Police were told to ensure security of sensitive places, installations and foreigners. They were told to convey to the Home Department on a daily basis the steps taken for the protection of foreigners.

Sources said that in response to an earlier advisory Mianwali district reported deployment of 250 Rangers at Chashma Atomic Plant, Jinnah Barrage and Chashma Barrage. Personnel from the Punjab Constabulary had also been deployed to protect the three places.