QUETTA, Feb 19: Police and other law enforcing agencies on Saturday raided various areas of the Quetta city and its surrounding areas and arrested 32 persons. "They include suspects belonging to a group which was planning an attack on the Ashura procession," the Capital City Police Officer said.

He added that raids were continuing for the arrest of more people. The route of the main mourning procession in the city for the 9th of Muharram was barricaded with barbed wire and heavy contingents of law enforcing agencies were deployed.

A 6,000-strong police force had cordoned off the whole areas while the Frontier Corps was also deployed at various places for strengthening security for the procession.

The army troops remained on high alert and kept patrolling the main roads and sensitive areas of the city. Police had taken over all the buildings falling on the route of the procession. All hotels had been got vacated in the area to ensure foolproof security.

Meanwhile, the Balochistan Chief Minister, Jam Mir Mohhammad Yousuf, has directed that more effective arrangements be made for the security of the Ashura procession in Quetta.

Speaking at a high-level meeting held to review the security arrangements on Saturday, he said that the security plan should be implemented firmly so that no-one could break the security cordon and disturb the law and order situation.

The Inspector General of Police, Balochistan, Mohammed Yaqoob, briefed the chief minister about the security arrangements made for the peaceful observance of Ashura on Sunday. The chief minister was informed that the procession route had been divided into sectors, headed by sector commanders, and a chain of command put in place.

Police and all the law enforcement agencies had been linked up with an integrated coordination system. Only three points had been earmarked for joining the mourning procession. Nobody would be allowed to join the procession from any other point.

Special ID cards have been issued for the security personnel assigned duty along the procession route and stickers have been issued for their vehicles. Everyone joining the procession would be frisked with metal detectors while pillion riding would be strictly banned.

The chief minister was informed that the gang behind the terrorist killed in a police operation the other day had also been traced and efforts were being made to arrest their accomplices.

The chief minister praised the police for taking timely action against terrorists and announced awards for the police party that had conducted the operation. He said the action against terrorists showed that the law enforcement agencies were alert and kept a watchful eye on anti-social elements.