LAHORE: The Punjab police have been directed to expedite search, sweep and combing operations throughout the province against terrorists, facilitators and their handlers, focusing primarily on the provincial capital and its surroundings ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final match.

The instructions were issued at a joint conference of regional police officers (RPOs) and district police officers (DPOs), which was especially called on Tuesday ahead of the cricket match scheduled to be held at Qadhafi Stadium on March 5.

This was said to be an unusual meeting attended by RPOs and DPOs of Punjab to chalk out a security plan. Inspector General of Police Musthaq Sukhera presided over the meeting which was also attended by Capital City Police Officer Amin Wains. The meeting discussed the security plan for PSL final besides other related issues.

The IGP directed field officers to conduct combing operations daily. He asked the DPOs, superintendents of police and circle officers to supervise operations in sensitive areas of their respective districts. He said all the departments concerned should be consulted while finalising the security plan.

“Search and combing operations in all districts across Punjab and especially Lahore should be given utmost attention,” he said.

IGP Sukhera asked the officials to include all education institutes, particularly co-education ones, in the security plan as well as markets, parks, hospitals, courts and other important installations. He said search and combing operations should be conducted around Qadhafi Stadium and suburbs of Lahore daily, but that they should not create problems for citizens.

He added that the security of mosques, imambargahs and other worship places should also be considered throughout the province.

He further directed the officers to ensure installation of CCTV cameras, construction of boundary walls and vantage points in educational institutes, worship places and important buildings.

The role of station house officers (SHOs) also came under discussion in the meeting.

The SHOs should strictly monitor security arrangements and personnel deployed for security of educational institutes, worship places and important installations.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2017