Nadra's Mardan office ignored repeated security advisories: police
33
MARDAN: Local police officials claim the Mardan police department repeatedly wrote to the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) Mardan office asking it to enhance security measures, but the management paid no heed to the advisories.
On Tuesday, 26 people were killed and more than 50 others wounded after a suicide bomber struck Nadra's Mardan office, 60 kilometres to the southwest of Peshawar. Jamaatul Ahrar, an offshoot of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed the attack.
In the wake of threats, police had issued two advisories to Nadra’s regional office in January and October, asking it to beef up its security, Regional Police Officer Saeed Wazir earlier told Dawn.
A report by a local police officer informed his high-ups that the organisation’s regional head had refused to take the advisory.
The first security advisory issued to Nadra Mardan office on Jan 7 earlier this year by deputy superintendent of police Mardan, a copy of which is available with DawnNews, stated that in view of security threats, Nadra management should ensure foolproof security measures and advised it to raise boundary walls, install surveillance cameras and secure the main entrance gate.
The Nadra management refused to implement another security advisory from Mardan police in October, after which the police registered a First Information Report against Nadra management on Oct 16 at the city police station Mardan.
The last security advisory for enhancing security measures was issued to Nadra Mardan office on Dec 28, just a day before the suicide attack.
In the advisory, the management of Nadra was warned by Mardan police that legal action would be taken against it if it failed to enhance the security.
"It is once again directed to improve your security measures as per the guidelines mentioned in the above quoted letter otherwise necessary legal action would be taken against you," said a letter issued to Nadra by the office of DSP Mardan.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (33) Closed
Dec 30, 2015 02:20pm
In this case; the accused who was responsible to take action on the given notice and yet did not comply to enhance the security arrangements should be severely punished and his services should be terminated with immediate effect....only a severe reaction would ensure that all those responsible will ensure their responsibility in future.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 02:28pm
A appreciated work from KPK police. Federal institutes did not take appropriate actions as per recommendations from KPK police. So Nadra(Federal) is responsible of this negligence.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 02:29pm
Now legal action must be taken against the responsible of Non-security measures. Along with the terrorists.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 02:32pm
A very sad incident but good work from kpk police. Inshallah kpk police will be one of best force in pak soon and will be a role model for other provinces
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 02:38pm
One year is enough time to take action. If there was no improvement in what is written in URDU letter, the in charge must be held responsible.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 02:39pm
why Nadra is responsible to increase security...what they shud do? put tanks in front of office? or give Armour jackets to the people are coming office or block the road in front of office?. ...its totally responsibility of Gov n forces to secure the threat not the victim at the place.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 02:48pm
@Asad Dear why do you keep your doors locked? Why don't you let your kids play out side your house when you are not seeing? Why do you carry your mobile and cash etc safely? Just why why why?
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 02:50pm
Nadra chief should resign.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 03:11pm
Nice work KPK Police!
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 03:13pm
If police was well aware and issued letter just one day prior to attack, then definitely all reposnibity goes to the police alone, they should have taken proper actions in averting that attack.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 03:20pm
@Arshad Hussain OMG, Height of ignorace from KPK Police. The Suicide attempt was not inside its outside the NADRA office. How can so easily you shift the blame to Nadra?? Law and order outside is the responsibility of Provincial Govt. If such incident happens in Punjab I am sure most of the commentator ask for the resignation of Punjab CM.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 03:35pm
@Larka I am not putting blame to anyone. But clapping need both hands and NADRA gave a strong evidence of their negligence which is hiding the ignorance of Police. Security measures are must all over the Pakistan in any institution.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 03:44pm
@Peace They have issued the warnings of possible attack (they aren't sure about the precise timing of attacks). Moreover, NADRA maintain it's own security across Pakistan. The Police can be called upon to safeguard Nadra's premises only when they are asked by the authorities.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 03:47pm
@Larka The attack happened outside the office only because a security guard stopped the attacker at the gate. He laid his life but managed to save lives of many others. Otherwise, the suicide attacker could have easily stormed the office and could kill many more.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 03:58pm
Such security advisories are issued all day long by police and intelligence agencies. They issue these to everyone so when something does go wrong they can just absolve themselves of the responsibility.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 03:59pm
Its funny to see comments of people here praising kpk police.
Read the advisory carefully. It was just a routine advisory. No credible intel input was shared!
While I agree that it was wrong on Nadra's part not to implement security measures, it is indeed shameful for kpk police to be opportunist and try to claim cheap publicity by "look i told you so" attitude. Very very shameful!!!
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 04:10pm
@Lyra There were 3 advisories issued from Police in 2014 and the last one was issued just a day before. Moreover, where in the World Police or LEAs share intels with offices?
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 04:19pm
@haris : Read the wordings of even the last advisory. It clearly shows that kpk police had no idea that Nadra was on target. It was just a routine warning. So nothing great done by kpk police.
And now that they are claiming credit is utter shameful!
As far as sharing intel info goes, all over the world such info is shared.
Intel info of possible attack on Australian team was shared with them and they cancelled the tour of Bangladesh!
Look at neighbors India. Even the media has announced in India that there is a possibility of attack on parliament and PM Modi on New Years!
This is called credible work.... not the routine advisories!!!
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 04:29pm
According to KPK Police every Pakistani (including all organizations) should hire PRIVATE SECURITY GUARDS and build IRON WALLS around their houses so that POLICE SLEEPS......how did the bomber get into mardan city on a motorcycle????? was the police sleeping????????? Nadra should hire commandos so that KPK police sleeps and keeps covering up for its flaws with ADVISERIES.......
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 04:30pm
KPK police in a sad state covering up their flaws.....
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 04:32pm
@Lyra: The advisory says, that office premises must be upgraded to avoid possible attacks and NADRA office is in the hit-list of the terrorists. They have made recommendations in the first advisory. Moreover, you must living in the moon because in our World the LEAs never shares intels with any civilian unless the civilian himself is vulnerable. A year ago, Heathrow Airport was sealed and just few weeks ago entire city of Brussels was closed down by the Police. Now who has received any intel from Police? no one.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 04:38pm
@lodhi. Intelligence agencies issues such threat alerts when they have some information. They take everything seriously. In such communications things are not clear. Even intelligence agencies are not sure about the possible target. Terrorists succeed when such alerts are ignored. You know in the present war on terror by Pakistan Army, lot of causalities happened where the soldiers were not wearing proper gear i.e. Bullet proof jacket & Helmet. When SOP was not followed.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 04:42pm
Must be on IK's able advice, like he issued another order to remove every protocol for VVIP movements in KPK, including the visits of the President and Prime minister.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 04:49pm
@Abdullah Waqas u said it very right.....All blame goes to police for their inability to stop the bomber from entering mardan city on a motorcycle....
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 04:53pm
What more can the Police do to alert the office to protect it self. No one on earth can detect or scan each and every walking person. It is complete negligence from NADRA side.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 05:04pm
Poor security both from KP Govt and the NADRA a federal govt organization. Why POLICE hadn't noticed the office through a govt letter and ministry/secretary level officials? If they knew it's happening they should have closed down the office in spite of letting it go running.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 05:05pm
Here the fight has begun on who's mistake it is. No Police on earth can guarantee 100% security. Not even French or American Police. Police had warned them as they are most likely targets for militants. Donot you get it. Why does the American embassy have high security. Why does Parliament have high security? To avoid such incidents. If NADRA had built proper entry and checking system then so many people would not have lost their lives. Look at the state of Nadra. People standing is long que even outside the Nadra office. And you dont get intelligence for each and every attack. So many attacks are averted coz of Police proactiveness but that does not get reported.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 06:29pm
@haris Thats why I am saying, if we have check point near to NADRA office, for sure causalities will be very less. Check point is again responsiblity of KPK Police, probably there is some ignorance from the part of NADRA office in terms of not following building security measures but tell me how many buildings have Long walls both under provincial and federal govt. I would say none, reason is making barracks is not the solution.Here Even have Long Walls will not save the lives of ppl who are outside NADRA. Its like police is saving themselves for getting the blame for any terrorist activities by issuing those advisories.Effective implementation of NAP with Efficient Security Agencies including Police is need of an hour.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 08:07pm
Police here is 100% correct and no blame to police for this lapse in security. Police in any country advises on security measures and it is up to the organisations to implement those measures. There are limited number of police so police can't be everywhere all the time. It is foolish to blame the KPK police for this attack. It is 100% NADRA senior's fault for ignoring these warnings. If a bomb proof wall had been built, there could've been far less casualties.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 08:25pm
Ch. Nisar looks distrustful whenever he coment "pehlay rooz 4 se dmakay hotay thay ab itne nhi hotay". Why don't he compare the security and surveillance to the committed nations instead of contrasting the existing figures with PPP governments...
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 09:15pm
Alas! Nadra Mardan had taken advisories seriously. Others must learn from this grave oversight.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2015 09:26pm
It's police who has to enforce it even when they ignore the advisory. Dont simply say 'we had told them'...
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2015 01:26am
It is too late to blame anyone.
Recommend
0
