Army placed on standby in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: As part of the election security plan, army has been placed on a standby in the federal capital and will be called in case of any untoward incident.

Sources in the capital police and administration said as per the security plan finalised, the senior superintendent of police (SSP) Islamabad will intimate the commanding officers of Eight Baloch Regiment, 86 Field Regiment and 17 Field Regiment stationed at Rawalpindi and Islamabad for deployment and necessary assistance. The three infantry regiments will respond in case of any major incident.

The capital police and Frontier Constabulary will perform security duty in tier-1 while Rangers will be in tier-2. In case of a need, the next tier of the army, Quick Response Force (QRF) and platoons, will rush to the spot.

In case of an attempt or act of sabotage, the staff on the spot will adopt necessary security/preventive measures. Army will be called for assistance where the situation poses a threat to public peace, life and property of the citizens or government functionaries.

From February 7 to 9, QRF mobiles, Dolphin mobiles and Dolphin Emergency Response Unit will be on roads to meet any emergency. The Dolphin ERU will patrol in 45 localities while Dolphin Mobiles will cover 17 localities. About 14 platoons, each comprising 19 personnel of police and equipped with tear gas guns and shells, were deployed at different points. Five such standby platoons, each comprising 18 personnel, are also deployed with the IGP and 12 and 26 platoons, each comprising 10 personnel, are deployed with SDPOs and SHOs, respectively.

Six platoons, each comprising 20 personnel, are also deployed at Constitution Avenue in front of the ECP. Besides, two platoons were deployed at H-9. Moreover, 19 police pickets, with three personnel each, were set up in different areas of the capital.

About 990 polling stations – 346 for NA-46, 387 for NA-47 and 257 for NA-48 – have been established in the capital. Out of the total, 124,108 and 72 polling stations for NA-46, NA-47 and NA-48 are declared most sensitive while 49, 59 and 27 polling stations for NA-46, NA-47 and NA-48 are declared sensitive.

The law enforcers will respond in case of clashes amongst supporters of rival political parties and candidates, attempts to sabotage election process, target political activists, offices and staffers.