ISLAMABAD, May 12: The police have alerted the security forces to help maintain law and order during Bari Imam’s Urs celebrations starting from May 14.

Senior Superintendent of Police Sikandar Hayat Khan told Dawn that the high security measures were taken in the wake of Nishtar Park incident and last year’s Bari Imam Urs bomb blasts.

“There is no threat of terrorist attack during the event,” he said, adding, that the heavy measures were taken only to provide security to the devotees.

About 2,000 police personnel, including 1,600 constables and 250 officials, will perform security duties during on the occasion, the SSP said.

The local police have asked the Capital Development Authority, chief commissioner and deputy commissioner of Islamabad to install search lights and close circuit cameras at different places, Mr Khan said.

Eight cameras have been installed at all three parking areas, outside and inside of shrine premises, and on the main road leading to the shrine. Likewise, a number of search lights have been fixed around the shrine.

Twenty walk-through gates have been installed to check the devotes and visitors by metal detector, while 17 pickets have been set up for checking vehicles.

Police on horse back will also patrol the area as well as the tracks leading to the shrine round the clock. A control room has been set up for monitoring all the security measures.

The police have been deployed at hill tops and tracks. Strict action will be taken against pickpockets, while activities if beggars would be closely monitored.