protests following a terrorist attack and the anti-riot force also had to be present at the scene.
“To ensure that as much evidence can be collected from the crime scene as possible, the officers concerned should get in touch with the technical staff to take photos, capture videos and gather samples in coordination with the counter terrorism department and the Special Branch.”
The DIG said the procedure also included coordinating with the officials of the health department.
“The health department can declare a state of emergency, arrange blood for the people injured in the terrorist attack and also set up a control room at the hospital where the bodies and the injured are shifted,” he said.
“Police should also coordinate with services like the Edhi Foundation so that no information about the casualties is missed.”
The SOP also includes coordinating with the traffic department so that diversion routes and lifting of vehicles from the scene can be arranged following a terrorist attack.
After the SOP is issued, demonstrations will be held to review the force’s preparation.
“In these demonstrations, we will be able to find out as to what the weak points of the force are and how much progress have we made in our contingency plan,” the DIG said.
Courses at training centres
Ahmed said refresher courses had been started the police training centres that included firing at different angles. Apart from that, he added, a joint training course had been started at the Razzaqabad centre with the help of army officials.
Cops posted at different ranges of the city’s police are participating in the courses that last for four weeks at the Razzaqabad centre and two weeks at the Malir Cantonment centre.
“We have also sent our men from the rapid response force and the special security unit to the National Counter-Terrorism Center in Khariyan, Punjab for training,” Ahmed said.
The other courses at the centres include human resources, gender sensitive, minority rights and dealing with children and senior citizens.
Special courses include learning to defuse improvised explosive devices with the help of instructors from the US. Cops from Balochistan and the Railway police are also participating in this course.
The official said the Karachi police had also been equipped with bomb suits, x-ray machines and bomb destroying machines provided by the US.