Police implement new strategies in counter-terrorism efforts

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LAHORE- “Police officers lay their lives on the line every day in the fight against terrorism, more so than the army, even though they are nowhere near as numerous, well-equipped and resource-rich,” Tariq Saleem Dogar, the inspector general of police (IGP) in Punjab, said while presiding over a high-level meeting.

The Punjab police have been implementing new strategies after realising that they lack counter-terrorism expertise at the police-station level, especially the Punjabi capital, Lahore.

“There is disappointment over the performance of the Lahore capital city police as far as counter-terrorism measures are concerned, as a station house officer (SHO) and his team have no focus on how to prevent terrorism,” Dogar said.

Counter-terrorism expertise at the police-station level would yield great dividends.

The meeting led to written guidelines for immediate implementation.

• The superintendents of police (SPs) will hold all SHOs responsible in their jurisdictions to focus on local intelligence gather and crime control;
• Each police station will form committees so the police can gather valuable information about militants, suspicious elements and unregistered tenants.

“Committees consisting of well-reputed clerics, doctors, politicians, elected representatives, traders and other notables will be formed within the next few days,” Rana Ayaz, SP of Model Town, told Central Asia Online.

The instructions are meant to “target a specific area …. with the maximum number of policemen,” Ayaz saidd.

The reform comes as society clamours for a bigger police role in counter-terrorism. Police are accused of relying on incomplete information trickling down from intelligence agencies, leading to a major gap in the counter-terrorism effort.

“The general nature of many of the strategy’s provisions, it is noted, allows provinces a degree of latitude in … how best to implement the strategy,” Dogar said.

Police have certain advantages over military and intelligence agencies in the war on terror. Their knowledge of the neighborhoods is far more detailed, for example. Police officers can mingle with their communities and gather information much more easily than outsiders can.

“This ability must be enhanced and put to use to counter terrorism across the country,” Dogar said. “A counter-strategy is required to counter terrorism in these situations. It’ll be successful with public help.”

Dogar urged the public to notify police whenever it “senses any dubious activity or element,” stressing that the police are battling terrorism.

“The public should be sharply attentive and alert and hit the suicide attacker before he hits his target,” he said.

“The constitution of mohalla committees will take at least two weeks, which would be supportive in countering terrorism,” Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Aslam Tareen told Central Asia Online.

The local police are gathering lists of certified phone SIM dealers, he said, adding that they are taking across-the-board action against unregistered vendors. They are also gathering tenant records and will verify the identity cards of suspects.

Police officers have begun notifying citizens during searches how to keep an eye on neighbours and any suspicious activities.