KARACHI -  Police on Wednesday finalized the security arrangements related to 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal processions. 

As many as 4,860 cops will provide security to the central procession in the city, while overall more than 47,215 will perform duties across the province, including 23,338 in Karachi.  

According to the plan, 23,338 cops will be deployed for the safety of nearly 1,115 ceremonies and 515 processions in the metropolis.  

According to a report, 6,145 cops will be deputed at Shaheed Benazirabad, 5,186 in Sukkur, 5,884 in Larkana, 4,488 in Hyderabad and 2,177 in Mirpurkhas. 

Sindh IGP Allah Dino Khawaja has directed his subordinates to ensure surveillance, snap checking and other steps as part of proactive policing on the occasion of 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal. 

He issued these directives, while reviewing a report, which briefed him about the security measures taken for the occasion. 

He also ordered that no personnel would leave his place of duty until all participants of the processions returned to their homes at night. 

Survey of all the buildings in the areas of processions and congregations has already been completed and the SHOs concerned have been asked to continue patrolling and checking. They have also been asked to remain in contact with wireless control rooms and command and control system. 

Staff of bomb disposal squad will also remain present along the routes through which the main procession is to pass, while security personnel will take their positions on the rooftops of buildings situated at the procession’s route. 

Similarly, the law enforcement agencies have decided to take stern action against those involved in aerial firing, carrying and displaying arms during 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal. 

A large number of officials and representatives of police, intelligence agencies, civil administration and home department participated in the meeting. 

A code of conduct was finalized at the meeting according to which Rangers and police personnel would hold flag marches, conduct snap checking. 

Strict action would be taken against the violators of the code, issued by the federal and provincial governments and no one would be allowed to resort to aerial firing, carry or display arms. 

‘Target killer’ belonging   

to MQM-L held 

Counter Terrorism Department of the Sindh police on Wednesday claimed to have arrested a political worker, allegedly involved in at least half a dozen cases of targeted killings of policemen in the city. 

CTD police arrested Saeed alias Kala during a raid conducted in Korangi. CTD SSP Munir Sheikh said that the accused belonged to Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London and was involved in nearly half of dozen cases of targeted killings of cops. CTD official further said that Saeed was wanted to police in connection with at least eleven criminal cases, adding that he was arrested on the information provided by his already arrested accomplice, namely Kamran alias Munna. 

He said that Kamran, during interrogation, had confessed that he and his accomplices, including Saeed Kala, Aijaz Gorchani, Asif alias Aalu Wala, Zahid Zaidi and Mansoor had killed several policemen besides kidnapping people and committing extortion. 

The suspects had killed three policemen, namely ASI Naeem Khan and constables Asif Elahi and Khalil Ahmed in Landhi in 2014. They had also killed ASI Javed Rizwan, head constable Asif Matin, constable Fida Hussain and had wounded Sub-Inspector Shahzad Khan also in Landhi. 

CTD SSP said that the case had been registered while further investigation was underway. 

Rangers arrest eight ‘criminals’ 

In a separate development, Rangers claimed to have arrested eight suspects during separate raids conducted in Lyari.  

Two suspects were arrested during a raid conducted on a tip off at Kalri area of Lyari. They were identified as Shoaib and Taimoor. 

According to Rangers’ spokesperson, they were affiliated with Zahid Ladla group of Lyari gang war, adding that besides carrying out hand grenades attacks in Lyari, the suspects were also involved in facilitation of terrorists and drug peddlers.  

In another raid in Lyari, the Force took into custody four more persons, namely Sameer alias Raju, Danish Khan, Owais and Fayyaz. 

Rangers’ spokesperson said that those held were involved in street crimes. Meanwhile, two more suspected street criminals were arrested during snap checking in Kalri area of Lyari. They were identified as Aftab and Sameer. 

Rangers’ spokesperson said arms and valuables were also recovered from their possession.  Both the suspects were later handed over to police. 

SSU command withdrawn  

from AIG Karachi 

The command of the Special Security Unit (SSU) has been withdrawn from the Additional Inspector General (AIG), Karachi Mushtaq Mahar, while the administrative, operational and financial aspects of the unit would be dealt with by Central Police Office through Additional IGP Sindh.  

“This office earlier Order No 11199-229/AIG Operations dated April, 8, 2016, regarding placement of Special Security Unit under Additional IGP Karachi is hereby withdrawn. Henceforth, administrative, operational and financial aspects of Special Security Unit will be dealt with by Central Police Office through Additional IGP Sindh. Additional IGP Sindh shall ensure that the efficiency and logistics of SSU are maintained at the highest level and with best standards. This has been issued with the approval of IGP Sindh,” reads a notification, issued by Munir Ahmed Shaikh, DIG Headquarters for IGP Sindh.  

SSU is one of the specialized units of the Sindh police, having its distinctive operational characteristics. It performs security and counterterrorism functions simultaneously yet with remarkable precision, accuracy and professionalism. It started with the mandate of providing security to Important Personalities and Vital Installations. However, with increasing challenges and risks to peace and Important Personalities and vital installation's security, the role of the SSU has been growing to accommodate the arising security and counterterrorism needs of Sindh police. 

Owing to dynamic leadership, dedicated staff and professional innovative approach towards contemporary issues, the SSU is known as the bright face of Sindh Police.