ISLAMABAD -- Pillion riding on motorcycles was banned and cellular phone service was suspended in different Pakistan cities to ensure security of Muharram processions in the country. Fourteen suspects were also arrested during security raids across the country.
The ban will be affective for 9th and 10th Muharram on October 11 and 12 in all major and sensitive cities, including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, Multan, Narowal, Okara, Jhang and Rahim Yar Khan, Dunya TV reported October 11.
Security was tightened across the country as police and Rangers personnel were deployed to protect procession, also using helicopter surveillance.
Meanwhile, 11 suspected target killers, who were allegedly planning to carry out sabotage activities and target Muharram processions, were arrested during search operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)'s district of Dera Ismail Khan and surrounding areas October 10, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, according to Dawn.
A suspected terrorist involved in killing of police constable was also apprehended in Kohat, the ISPR added.
Two more suspects were held in a security raid in Lari Adda area of Punjab's Faisalabad district late October 10, Dunya TV reported.
