KP gets explosive detecting scanners, at last

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtun-khwa finally got two explosive detecting scanners ahead of the local government election that would be installed on routes linking the provincial capital with tribal areas to detect and stop explosive carrying vehicles.
The scanners, however, are not likely to be installed ahead of the local government elections on May 30 for which extraordinary security arrangements have been made by the KP Police. There are threats that militants are likely to carry out an unprecedented terror attack during the electioneering or after the polls in KP, especially somewhere in the provincial capital or surrounding areas.
The bomb disposal units, Rapid Response Force, Quick Response Force and police all over the province have been alerted to increase security. Around 613 polling stations have been declared most sensitive and 372 sensitive while only 11 have been rated as normal alone in Peshawar.
Police in Peshawar and all over KP have been directed to remain alert and improve security and vigilance during the electioneering as well as on the polling day so the attackers could not hit any target.
The scanners would help the cops detect any vehicle carrying explosives.The scanners are gifted by the federal government to the province that witnessed the most number of terrorist attacks during the last almost one decade. The devices were handed over to the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police which later placed it at the disposal of Capital City Police Officer Ijaz Ahmad.
“This will help us detect vehicles carrying explosives before it could target any place in the city. The scanners will be installed at appropriate places in the provincial capital,” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Mian Saeed Ahmad told The News.
The bosses of the Peshawar Police have proposed five points for the installation of the scanners. These included Saifan Choki on Kohat Road, Pishtakhara Chowk, Karkhano Market, Aminabad and Pir Bala, all the entry points to Peshawar while on way from Darra Adamkhel, Khyber Agency and Mohmand Agency.
It is learnt that the PMU is to set up proper posts for the installation of the scanners at any two of the proposed sites to check the movement of explosive-laden vehicles, suicide bombers and pedestrians transporting any kind of explosives.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could not get a single scanner to check the transportation of explosives within the cities or from tribal areas to the province despite witnessing thousands of terrorist
attacks.
“The KP got a number of explosive detectors that were given to the cops to check the transportation of explosives. However, the gadgets failed to stop the movement of explosives carrying cars, suicide bombers either for being substandard or used by ill-trained operators,” a source told.
The source added that had the KP got standard explosive detectors and scanners in 2007 or later, the lives of thousands of civilians and law-enforcers could be secured by thwarting the terror bids.