Security plan for railway stations, tracks prepared: IGP Railways

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Inspector General Railway Police Syed Ibn-e-Hussain has said that a plan for ensuring foolproof security of railway tracks, railway stations and trains has been prepared.

Addressing a news conference at the office of the Divisional Superintendent Railway Karachi, on February 18, he said that the security plan has been divided into three parts. 

He said that the Railway police are getting assistance from local police, Rangers and intelligence agencies for ensuring the protection of travellers and trains. Secretary Railway Board Aftab Akbar, DS Railway Karachi, Nisar Memon, DCO Railway Karachi Shoaib Adil, Shamim Shirazi, SP Railway Karachi and other officials were present. 

The IG Railway Police said that special trollies are being prepared for patrolling by Railway police and other Railway officials on the tracks, which will be equipped with metal detectors. The Railway officials will also be deployed on the trollies and they will be in contact with the district police, he added. 

He said that this matter has been discussed with the Chief Secretary Sindh who has assured provision of facilities at the Railway stations for the checking of travellers. Sindh Bomb Disposal staff will assist the Railway Bomb Disposal unit, he added. 

Ibne-Hussain said that the IGPs Sindh and Punjab have provided 200 policemen each for the patrolling of the railway tracks. While the DG Rangers Sindh has also assured full cooperation in this regard, he added. He further said that intelligence agencies have also promised cooperation in information sharing. 

The IG Railway Police informed that the jammers are also being installed at the trains on trial basis. In the first phase, jammers will be installed in Jaffer Express which runs between Quetta and Rawalpindi, he added. Ibne-Hussain said that advanced equipments are being purchased to further activate the Railway bomb disposal unit, and arrangements are also being made for the training of the staff. 

He said that at all major railway stations CCTV cameras are also being installed, adding that commandos have been deployed at 10 trains and stations. He said that action will be taken against encroachments at railway lands, adding that police and Rangers will conduct search operations in the areas along the railway tracks. 

The federal government had appointed Ibne-Hussain, DIG National Highways and Motorways Police, as IG Pakistan Railway Police in order to promote corruption-free, public-friendly, safe and service-oriented atmosphere.