Rawalpindi: 'Suspicious' boy arrested from Muharram procession route
Police said investigation is underway from various angles
RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – A boy suspected of militancy has been arrested from the route of mourning procession of 9th Muharram on Friday, Dunya News reported.
The boy identified as Ali was taken into custody from Tanch Bhata area near mourning procession. According to details, the Race Course police station is investigating the under-arrest boy.
As per the police, the boy said in preliminary interrogation that he is Rawalpindi resident and that his father is a government official who was supposed to pick him up after work but didn’t come.
The Station House Officer (SHO) said that all offices are closed today and that investigation is being carried out from various angles following suspicious and contradicting statements from the boy.
Also Read: 9th Muharram processions held countrywide amid tight security
The mourning processions to commemorate tragic events of Karbala on 9th Muharram took place in various cities across the country amid tight security, Dunya News reported.
According to details, the processions were monitored using helicopter surveillance and CCTV cameras. Director General (DG) Rangers Bilal Akbar oversaw the security arrangements.
A large number of mourners participated and paid rich tributes to the great sacrifices offered by the martyrs of the Karbala.
In Karachi, the central procession started from Nishtar Park. The mourners offered Zohrain prayers at M.A. Jinnah Road and a Majlis-e-Aza also took place in which the speakers narrated the tragic events of Karbala.
In Islamabad, the central procession started at Imam Bargah Isna Ashri G6-2 and was attended by a large number of mourners.
In Lahore, the 9th Muharram procession started at Pando Street and will pass by its usual route and conclude at midnight also at the Pando Street.
In Multan, as many as 82 small and large processions were carried out while in Faisalabad 95 processions were held.
In Peshawar, the 9th Muharram procession started at Imam Bargah Hussainia and ended at the same location after passing by its traditional route.
In Dera Ismail Khan, the central procession ended at Imam Bargah Latu Faqir while in Quetta, the procession that started out at Imam Bargah Nasirul Aza concluded at Mekangi Road Imam Bargah Kalan.
In Sukkur, the procession started at Karbala Shah Iraq and was attended by a large number of mourners.
Beefed up security
Security arrangements have been completed to maintain law and order across the country during Ashura.
All the provincial governments have beefed up security for mourning processions and thousands of security personnel have been deployed to avoid any untoward incident.
Beside Police personnel, law enforcement agencies’ personnel have also been deployed to ensure peace and harmony.
Pillion-riding has been banned for two days while control rooms have been set up for strict monitoring through CCTV cameras.
Mobile phone services will also be blocked in sensitive areas in 68 districts across Pakistan on 9th and 10th Muharram. The Interior Minister has sent list of the areas to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Mobile phone service is being blocked for two days to prevent bombings, as terrorists often use cellular phones as detonators.
