Following CM’s Orders: Punjab on High Security Alert, Intelligence-Based Operations Intensified.
IG Punjab Orders Enhanced Security for Foreigners, Religious Sites, and Sensitive Installations Amid Terror Threats.
Punjab Police Continue Combing and Search Operations Across the Province; Hundreds of Suspects Arrested, Weapons and Explosives Recovered in Five Days.
Following the directives of Chief Minister Punjab Mariam Nawaz Sharif, and in view of the current national situation and recent terrorist incidents originating from a neighboring country, a decision was taken to further strengthen security across the province. In this regard, a high-level meeting was held at the Central Police Office under the chairmanship of Inspector General of Police Punjab Abdul Kareem, during which the law & order situation across the province, ongoing and proposed security measures were reviewed in detail.
IG Punjab issued a province-wide security high alert, directing that security for foreign tourists, including Chinese nationals and Sikh pilgrims, be further strengthened. Security at mosques, Imambargahs, shrines, sensitive locations, installations, markets, and utility bazaars was ordered to be tightened. He directed that personnel deployed at inter-provincial border posts, religious sites, and sensitive installations remain on high alert while performing duties. District officers, CTD, Special Branch, and other intelligence agencies were instructed to ensure effective security measures through mutual consultation.
IG Punjab also instructed strict enforcement of government restrictions imposed under Section 144 in view of the recent use of drones in terrorist attacks. Supervisory officers were ordered to conduct regular briefings of personnel stationed at checkpoints and key locations. He said that female police officers deployed for the protection of women in utility bazaars and markets must remain vigilant, while suspicious vehicles, rickshaws, and loaders at city entry and exit points and sensitive locations must be closely monitored.
In view of the current national security situation, intelligence-based combing and search operations by Punjab Police are continuing without interruption across the province, including Lahore. Punjab Police spokesperson said that during the past five days, 250 intelligence-based operations were conducted across the province, during which 6,139 individuals were questioned, and 28 criminals were taken into custody. During these operations, more than one kilogram of explosive material, 11 detonators, and 20 feet of safety fuse wire were recovered from miscreants and anti-state elements.
During the same period, 2,545 combing operations were carried out across the province, including Lahore, during which over 76,000 individuals were questioned, and 509 criminals and suspects were arrested. During these combing operations, one Kalashnikov, 9 rifles, 35 pistols, 4 guns, and a large quantity of ammunition were recovered.
IG Punjab instructed that intelligence-based search, sweep, and combing operations should continue in a more effective manner to hold anti-state and criminal elements accountable. The process of door-knocking should also be continued consistently to curb terrorism and miscreant activities. Verification and identification of travelers arriving from other cities and individuals residing in hotels should be ensured.
The meeting was attended by Additional IG Operations, Additional IG Special Branch, DIG Traffic, AIG Operations, AIG Development, and other senior officers, while Additional IG CTD, CCPO Lahore, Additional IG South Punjab, Additional IG CCD, RPOs, CPOs, and DPOs participated via video link.
Handout No. 151)
Syed Mubasher Hussain
Director Public Relations
Punjab Police
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