Pakistan observes ‘Ashura’ amid tight security

Islamabad: Youmi-i-Ashura possessions were carried out amid tight security arrangements across Pakistan so as to avoid any untoward incidents. Cell phone services have also been suspended in several sensitive areas of the country as a precautionary measure.
Ashura marks the tenth day of the month of Muharram and commemorates the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Imam Hussain and others who laid down their lives at the Battle of Karbala.
A Karachi Police spokesperson said that 6,368 policemen and three companies of the Rapid Response Unit have been deployed in the city for ensuring security of the processions. 90 snipers have also been deployed along the route of the main procession.
A total of 12 processions will take place in Peshawar as part of the security arrangements cell phone services have been completely suspended in the city.
Areas through which the processions will pass have been sealed and strict restrictions have been put in place severely restricting entry of any unauthorised person.
At least 10,000 security officials have been deployed in Quetta to quell any untoward incident, mobile phone services in the city will remain suspended until 12am said the police.
As per a report by Dawn, three battalions of the Pakistan Army have been put on standby in case of any untoward incident and that two helicopters are being used to keep an eye on the situation from the air. Control rooms have also been established to monitor the situation.