waziristan: In the wake of an expected military operation in restive North Waziristan, it is feared that militants would move to Punjab in the garb of internally-displaced persons (IDPs) and carry out their activities.
According to a letter sent by the Inspector General of Punjab Police (IGP) Khan Baig to the divisional police heads, the Special Branch and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), the militants were planning on targeting various buildings and prominent people in Punjab after moving to the province.
The letter further directed the authorities concerned to enhance security in their respective areas.
These directives especially apply to Rawalpindi which borders Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the police fear that the militants would establish their abode in the garrison city.
According to sources in the law enforcement agencies, the militants might establish their camps in Punjab with the help of their local sympathizers.
‘They must be stopped otherwise the province will witness more sectarian strife and several incidents of terrorism,’ an official said.
In addition, close links between militants based in North Waziristan and local activists in Rawalpindi is another major concern for the law enforcement agencies.
According to the police, a number of Afghanistan nationals and militancy hit people from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) have taken refuge throughout the province.
These people may have links with militants, therefore the law enforcement agencies are concerned that the refugees may assist the extremists.
According to the intelligence, militants may target the Punjab Assembly, take school children hostage and assassinate prominent political figures.
Therefore, the police have been directed to review their security strategies to cope with the situation.
The inspector general of police also directed the law enforcement agencies to strengthen security at the entry points in the province, especially on the borders of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
A separate security plan would be chalked out for the river crossings from KP into Punjab, the letter maintained.
Similarly, the provincial police chief has directed the law enforcement agencies to keep the registration record of boats and their drivers along with the passengers.
INTERNEWS
