Peshawar: Security beefed up in provincial capital

PESHAWAR: Due to unsatisfactory law and order situation here, the stringent security measures have been taken in the Provincial capital on Friday and extra contingents of police were deployed at various sensitive areas and outside mosques besides sealing city and cantonment areas to avert any possibility of mishap. People offered Friday prayers amid tight security and the police allowed the Nimazees (worshippers) to enter the mosques after thorough body search. The police had secret information on Friday about the possibility of terror incident in the Provincial capital. All the roads leading to Saddar Bazaar were blocked whereas Bara Road, Mall Road, FC Plaza roads were sealed besides banning the entry of vehicles on all roads leading to cantonment area. Similarly, car parking was not allowed outside mosques in order to ensure safety of the worshippers. Moreover, apart from checking vehicles the security personnel were also conducting body search of people on foot that panicked the commoners. The fear and panic returned to the capital city after a break of few days and most of the markets and bazaars remained closed whereas people confined themselves inside their houses. Security put on high alert in City after Thursday’s blast in Regi area and intelligence reports regarding terror incident during Friday prayers. On the special directives, additional contingents of security forces have been deployed at sensitive points in the city. Strict directives have been issued for night patrolling and checking of suspects. It is reported that numbers of roads have been closed for traffic, whereas more contingents of police have been deputed for ensuring the security of the building. The police have declared many areas of the provincial metropolis as most sensitive and they were put in ‘High Alert or Red Zone’ where security was further tightened. It is also reported that once again threats received to educational institutions of the City and local administration directed such institutions to enhance security steps and ensure protection to the students. The Afghan migrants are also being closely monitored as per the latest development in this respect, sources said.