83,000 police personnel secure third Friday prayers of Ramazan across Punjab

• Security placed on high alert at over 32,500 mosques, imambargahs and worship places across the province

• IGP Abdul Kareem orders strict vigilance amid prevailing western border security situation

 LAHORE: More than 83,000 police officers, personnel and community volunteers were deployed by the Punjab Police to provide foolproof security at mosques, imambargahs and other places of worship on the occasion of the third Friday of Ramazan across the province, including Lahore, according to an official statement.

A Police Department statement said that Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem had placed security on high alert throughout the province, including the provincial capital, in view of the large congregations expected for Friday prayers.

The IGP directed that, in light of the prevailing situation along the western border, strict vigilance must be maintained on terrorist and miscreant elements as well as suspicious individuals, while security arrangements at sensitive locations should be further strengthened.

He also ordered that security be heightened at mosques, imambargahs and other places of worship, along with police installations, Chinese and foreign missions, and other sensitive sites.

Sharing details of the security arrangements, the Punjab Police spokesperson said that over 83,000 police officers, personnel and community volunteers had been deployed to secure more than 32,500 mosques, imambargahs and places of worship across the province, including Lahore.

He added that teams of the Dolphin Squad, Police Response Unit (PRU) and Elite Force conducted effective patrolling around religious and sensitive sites, while CCTV cameras were utilised to monitor mosques, places of worship and other key locations.

The spokesperson further said that search and combing operations had been intensified to maintain strict vigilance on the activities of Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan.

The Punjab IGP also directed that police personnel deployed at city entry and exit points as well as inter-provincial checkpoints remain on high alert, ensuring strict monitoring of suspicious individuals and activities.

 Martyred constable Muhammad Ikram remembered

Meanwhile, Punjab Inspector General of Police Abdul Kareem paid rich tribute to the sacrifice of Gujranwala Police Constable Muhammad Ikram, who embraced martyrdom in the line of duty.

The IGP expressed deep sorrow and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, saying that Constable Muhammad Ikram laid down his life while protecting citizens and upheld the finest traditions of the police force.

He said that the Punjab Police would never leave the families of its martyrs alone, adding that their welfare and support remain the department’s top priority.

The IGP directed the concerned officers to extend every possible cooperation and welfare facility to the family of the martyred constable.

According to the Punjab Police spokesperson, Constable Muhammad Ikram was martyred while protecting citizens during an exchange of fire with robbers in Kamonki, while Constable Ikramul Haq sustained serious injuries in the incident.