RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Rangers, the anti-terrorism wing of Punjab Prison, Rawalpindi police, Bomb Disposal Squad and emergency services Rescue 1122 conducted a joint mock exercise to deal with terrorism and emergency situation in Adiala jail on Wednesday.

In addition, the contingents of Rawalpindi police carried out a search operation around the jail, which lasted for more than five hours. It may be mentioned here that some high-profile prisoners, including former prime minister Imran Khan, Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, ex-foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and former information minister Fawad Chaudhry are housed in the jail.

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Due to security reasons, the Punjab Interior Department had imposed a two-week ban on meetings with all prisoners, and decided to review the security of three prison facilities in Punjab including the overcrowded Adiala jail. The prison department has also been directed to conduct mock exercises and increase security to deal with emergency situations.

According to sources, prior to the exercise, a mock emergency call of terrorist attack on the prison facility and presence of terrorists was relayed. As a result, Rangers assigned to the security of the prison, the anti-terrorism wing of the prison department and heavy contingent of Rawalpindi police, including the prison police, swung into action.

On receiving an SOS call, the Bomb Disposal Squad team and Rescue 1122 staff also reached the spot. The jail compound was cordoned off and the ‘terrorists’ were skillfully disarmed and controlled by the law enforcement officials. Later, the Bomb Disposal Squad carried out sweeping of the jail compound and declared it clear.

Later, a detailed search operation was also conducted in the jail. During the exercise, the response of the security agencies was timely and exemplary. Such exercises will be conducted in future as well, the jail authorities said.

On the other hand, Rawalpindi police conducted a five-hour long search operation around the jail and verified the whereabouts and data of people residing in the area and doing business there. In addition, police also conducted biometric verification of those during the search operation.

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2024