RAWALPINDI, Nov 15: Police have deployed more than 7,500 policemen outside worship and other places and increased patrolling in the twin cities to ensure a peaceful Eidul Azha.

In Rawalpindi, over 5,000 police personnel have been deployed for the security of 1,600 mosques, imambargahs, and other places as 28 worship places have been declared ‘sensitive’. Of them, five imambargahs have been declared ‘most sensitive’. The police have started a ‘stop-and-search’ operation in busy markets.

A senior security official said over 4,800 police personnel would be deputed for the security of mosques and imambargahs on Eid day. He said 10 extra reserves of police from the Police Training School would assist the local police.

Additionally the 450 personnel each of Elite Force and the well-equipped Flying Squad will be on standby in case of emergency.

Eight vans of Elite Force are patrolling the sensitive areas while a central control room has been established to monitor security duties. As many as 37 police pickets are being set up in different parts of the city. The official said mosques and imambargahs would be handed over to police only after ‘search’ by the Special Branch.

Police will also keep an eye on Ayub National Park and Jinnah Park as the two parks are packed on holidays.

City Police Officer (CPO) Mohammad Wisal Fakhar Sultan said whereabouts of students – some of them from the Central Asian States – studying in seminaries were being checked while their administrators have been asked not to allow any stranger to stay with them.

More than 2,500 policemen would patrol various sectors of the capital during Eid holidays. Islamabad’s Senior Superintendent of Police Tahir Alam Khan said 609 mosques and 36 imambargahs in Islamabad would be guarded by policemen and private armed guards. More than 300 policemen will be deputed at Faisal Mosque on Eid day as walkthrough gates and scanners will be installed.

The interior ministry has directed Islamabad police to remain on high alert and prepared for the Eid days. In the capital police will ensure safety of properties and check theft and car lifting incidents during Eid holidays. All important entry and exit points of the capital will have police pickets.