LAHORE - Following the deadly attack at Fateh Jang which resulted in death of two senior army officers and three civilians, abduction of an MPA and NACTA alerts about terrorism threats, the Punjab government has decided to take stricter steps for the security of all important personalities holding sensitive positions.
Sources in the Punjab government said the security staff would remain careful about the movement of top dignitaries.
The precautionary measures suggested at the meeting include covering the entry and exit points on Motorway, involvement of community through media campaigns, enhancing role of the Motorway police and foolproof security of the officials visiting any place like hydel projects etc.
A high-level meeting was attended by Adviser to Punjab CM Rana Maqbool Ahmad, Home Secretary Azam Suleman, IGP Khan Beig, representatives of security agencies and other senior officers.
The participants of the meeting were informed that there were threats of attacks on worship places, so it was necessary to take necessary measures to counter them. The meeting also discussed fallout of the targeted operation at North Wasirastan and its effects on the Punjab.
As per the documents, the Punjab home secretary said that MPA Rana Jamil Hassan’s kidnapping case was investigated by Addl IG Counterterrorism Department. After a thorough investigation, he observed that during the loadshedding hours data of entry and exit of vehicles was not being recorded. “Since Motorway exit is under the control of Islamabad police, so Punjab policewas involved in checking vehicles,” the home secretary said.
The meeting decided that the Punjab police, in coordination with the capital police, would cover both exit and entry points on the Motorway. It was also decided that a toll plaza near vicinity of Punjab-KP border would be set up. The meeting also decided to curb the menace of terrorism, local community would be asked to help law-enforcing agencies (LEAs). Since there was some confusion whether Motorway police was responsible for ensuring security of travellers or it was responsible for traffic management only, it was decided to discuss the matter with the Motroway authorities. It was also decided to register cases against leaders of Kisan Ittehad for blocking GT Road and Main Railway Line for hours which resulted in the death of some persons.
The Punjab government has taken many security measures. During April, it created a new vacancy of deputy inspector general police for the security of foreigners to head a special force.
A senior officer of the home department told this scribe that tragic incidents of abduction of sons of former PM Gilani and former Punjab Governor Salman Taseeer and recent abduction of an MPA forced the government to take stricter measures to avoid such incidents in future. He said all-out efforts were being made to ensure security of the citizens of this land and foreigners so that investors could work in a peaceful environment. He said spending of huge funds on purchase of ammunition, weapons, bulletproof jackets, formation of sniper squad and CTD were practical steps taken by the incumbent regime to counter terrorism.