Punjab police on high alert ahead of Juma-tul-Wida prayers

Punjab Police have been placed on high alert on Friday to ensure security at mosques and other places of worship across the province on account of Jumatul-Wida.

Inspector General of Punjab, Rao Abdul Kareem, directed that foolproof security be provided for worshippers, citing the prevailing situation along the western border. He ordered strict vigilance of suspicious individuals and warned of potential threats from “terrorist and miscreant elements”.

Security has been enhanced at mosques, imambargahs, police pickets, foreign consulates, sensitive locations and key installations, he said.

Read: Home dept unveils security plan for Jumatul Wida, Eid

According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, more than 83,000 police personnel, officials and community volunteers have been deployed to secure over 32,500 mosques, imambargahs and other places of worship across the province, including Lahore.

The IG directed Dolphin Squad, Police Response Unit (PRU) and Elite Force teams to increase patrolling around religious sites, markets and other sensitive areas.

He also instructed authorities to ensure monitoring through CCTV cameras at mosques, markets and key locations.

Search and combing operations are ongoing to counter threats from banned outfits, he said. Police personnel deployed at entry and exit points of cities, as well as interprovincial checkpoints, have been directed to remain on high alert.

The IG Punjab urged religious scholars to promote interfaith harmony and peace in their sermons. Regional and district police officers have been directed to remain in close coordination with mosque administrations and peace committees.

Officials said peaceful observance of Ramazan has been ensured so far with the cooperation of citizens.