Sindh Assembly’s security upgraded over threat

Karachi
Security has been beefed up at important installations, including at the Sindh Assembly, in Karachi, days after a letter issued by the National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC) warned of terrorist attacks.
The letter addressed to the Sindh Home Department says: “Reportedly terrorists are planning to target various installations, institutions and infrastructure in Sindh in near future.”
The likely targets include the Hub Dam, Jinnah International Airport, a private university, the headquarters and residential areas of the armed forces, the Rangers headquarters and the Sindh Assembly.
The NCMC advised the home department and intelligence agencies to take heightened security steps and prevent any untoward incident.
The home department has forwarded the letter to the provincial police chief and the Rangers director general.
During a Sindh Assembly session on Monday, Speaker Aga Siraj Durrani informed the house that the provincial legislature had been exposed to serious risks and he had written letters to the police and Rangers chiefs, directing them to take fool-proof security measures for the assembly. He said he had also informed them about potential risk areas and alleys around the assembly.
Talking to The News, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Jamil Ahmed of the South Range said that, after getting directives from police chief, he along with the district SSP, had visited the Sindh Assembly and met the speaker.
He added that he witnessed some security loopholes and directed the SSP to immediately establish watchtowers on the assembly’s premises and also deploy snipers on the rooftop.
DIG Ahmed said they had already upgraded the security of the Sindh Assembly; however, more policemen would be deployed if needed.
He said a survey of other installations been conducted and he would meet the heads of the headquarters of departments whose names had been mentioned in the letter. The DIG told his subordinates to remain vigilant and conduct patrolling mostly in sensitive areas.