LAHORE, Jan 10: Army troops have been deployed in 22 districts of Punjab to protect people and vital installations during Muharram in view of the security alarm raised by a suicide bombing here on Thursday.

The Rangers will protect important installations like Wapda House, airports, railway stations, Pakistan Television and radio offices, Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Governor’s House and civil secretariat.

The overall law and order would be the responsibility of police and troops would stand by at designated places and could be called in for assistance in case of an emergency at one-hour notice, home secretary Khusrao Pervaiz Khan told Dawn.

All Muharram processions and meetings in Lahore would be heavily protected, especially on Ashura, to “deny space to terrorists”, he said.

Meanwhile, the home department has asked the provincial police chief to make foolproof security arrangements for Chinese nationals all over the province. The directive has been issued in view of reports that there are certain deficiencies in the security of the Chinese. A letter sent to the IGP said the matter was serious and required urgent action, asking him to overcome the lapses.

The suicide bombing in Lahore came a day after a warning had been given by the home department that law-enforcement agencies could be the direct target of terrorists these days and they must be prepared to protect themselves, vital installations and important personalities.

Sources in the home department said that police were the direct target of Thursday’s suicide attack on The Mall.

The home secretary said the provincial government had devised a three-pronged security strategy for Muharram.

Important personalities, including political and religious leaders, have been asked to ensure their security while moving about.

Earlier, the government had decided to approach people through print and electronic media to educate them on how to keep an eye on terrorists and support law-enforcement agencies in arresting them.

“Terrorists can only be stopped through an active coordination among law-enforcement agencies, administration and people,” the home secretary said.