Jumma prayers offered earlier than schedule in Landikotal

 Security threats

By Ashrafuddin Pirzada 

LANDIKOTAL: Following a threat alert, security of all government offices, mosques and other public places was beefed up on Friday. 

Extra security personnel of the Frontier Crops (FC), Khassadars and Levies were deployed at public offices and mosques. No-one was allowed to enter or go out of Landikotal cantonment during the Jumma prayers.
 Official sources told this scribe on condition of anonymity that they had received information about 31 terrorists who might target government offices and public places in Khyber Agency and Peshawar. 
They said that 22 militants of Mangal Bagh-led Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) and six suicide bombers of Jumatul Ahrar (JuI) might carry out attacks at various places in Khyber Agency and Peshawar. He said that an explosive-packed old Corolla vehicle could also be used in the possible terrorist attack. 

Sources said that Jumma prayers in all Landikotal mosques were offered a bit earlier than schedule to avoid any mishap. Movement in Jamrud and Landikotal bazaars remained thin as most of the shopkeepers and owners closed their shops and hotels due to the security alert. 

On the other hand, all the state-run and public sector schools and colleges in Khyber Agency were ignored and no security personnel were deployed there. Local residents appealed to the security forces and Khyber Agency political agent to take steps and provide them security so that the lives of schoolchildren could be protected.
 Political Agent Khalid Mehmood confirmed the developments and said that he had directed all concerned officials of Landikotal, Jamrud and Bara tehsils to ensure security. 

“We are doing our best to provide security to all private and public installation in Khyber Agency,” said Khalid Mehmood. He said they have cancelled all leaves of Khassadars and Levies personnel so that they could provide security to the public places. He said strict directives have been issued to Torkham authorities to keep watch on suspicious people while crossing the border. 

The alert about possible suicide attacks scared the locals as many people stayed indoors and even offered Jumma prayers at the homes instead of going to mosques.