Rawalpindi police form special unit for security during Pakistan-Australia ODI

RAWALPINDI: Police have created a dedicated security and discipline unit to oversee the deployment and protection of personnel assigned to duty for the Pakistan-Australia one-day international at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on May 30.

According to the arrangements described by officials, the unit has been set up to ensure that police personnel reach their assigned points on time and to strengthen their security amid the prevailing situation. The unit will maintain close protection around police personnel during their transport, departure and assembly.

The new formation has been divided into four zones. It is headed by Inspector Luqman Pasha, with ASI Mohammad Irfan assisting him, and each zone includes two constables. The unit will report directly to the SSP operations.

Police will also verify biometric attendance of officers and personnel. Any official found absent or arriving late will be reported to the city police officer, the SSP operations and the central control room.

A senior police official said the protection of police personnel had to remain a priority. “The security of police personnel should be given top priority,” a senior police official said.

Officials said police vehicles should be parked in safer locations and should not be left without drivers. Armed police guards will accompany personnel while dropping them at duty points. Another senior police officer said the force remained on high alert in view of the broader security environment. “In light of the current security situation and terrorist attacks, it is critical to make police force security foolproof during their movements by closely adhering to SOP,” a senior police officer said, adding the police have been on high alert.

Practice session deployment

For the teams’ practice sessions, more than 3,500 police personnel and 300 traffic officials have been deployed to provide security and manage traffic flow. Senior officers have been visiting the field to inspect arrangements and brief the deployed force.

Police station mobiles, along with Elite and Dolphin squads, are patrolling the areas around the stadium. Additional personnel have also been posted at key and public locations, while bus stands and hotels are under special surveillance.

Police said that on the second day of the five-day practice session, effective security and traffic arrangements were put in place on the instructions of City Police Officer Syed Khalid Mahmood Hamdani, with more than 3,500 Rawalpindi police officers deployed.

Separate plan for match day

A separate security plan will be implemented for the May 30 ODI, under which more than 5,000 police personnel will be deployed. An advance Australian security team that had earlier arrived in Islamabad also visited the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium to examine the arrangements in place.