World | Pakistan
Ashura day processions pass off peacefully
The strong fears of a possible terrorist attack on mourners notwithstanding, Ashura day processions were largely peaceful in the province of Punjab under the watchful eyes of some 140,000 police and para-military security personnel.
- By Danish Rizwan, Correspondent
- Published: 23:38 January 8, 2009
Lahore: The strong fears of a possible terrorist attack on mourners notwithstanding, Ashura day processions were largely peaceful in the province of Punjab under the watchful eyes of some 140,000 police and para-military security personnel.
Around 24 districts throughout the country were declared sensitive and were handed over to Rangers.
Under-cover agents
The processions were monitored on CCTV cameras installed at the routes and scores of explosive detectors were in place.
In Lahore alone, some 26,000 security personnel were on guard to protect 261 Imambarghas and more than 761 mosques. Numerous under-cover policemen were deployed on sensitive routes to assist the law enforcement agencies.
There were no reports of any untoward incident in the province of Punjab, however, a large cache of explosives and ammunition was seized from Mardan and Kohat in NWFP.
Around the country, law enforcement agencies have rounded up more than 2,000 suspects.
In Lahore, the biggest Ashura procession was from Nisar Haveli, a 255-year old venue where thousands of mourners gathered around midnight Wednesday and started their journey towards Karbala Gamey Shah.
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