Dera Ismail Khan Enforces Section 144 Amid Security Concerns
Security Measures in Dera Ismail Khan
Islamabad, March 9: Local officials in Dera Ismail Khan, located in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, have enacted Section 144 due to escalating law and order issues. An official notification has been released, detailing restrictions on movement across various roads and sensitive areas, as reported by local media on Monday.
According to Deputy Commissioner Abdul Nasir Khan, these restrictions will be enforced from 6 am to 6 pm (local time). During this timeframe, the movement of passenger vehicles, cargo trucks, and motorcycles will be prohibited in specified zones, as highlighted by the prominent daily, Dawn.
The district administration's notification indicates that the Dera-Tank Road from Tariq Shaheed to Bhugowal will be closed, along with several other routes, including Kulachi-Hathala Road, Kot Attal Road, and Garah Abdullah Road.
Additionally, several link roads such as Tikwarah-Hathala Road, Pota Badh, Kanori-Garah Mohabbat, and the road from Chehkan village to Darbari will also be shut down. The Pota Hathala Bazaar will remain closed during the same hours.
Emergency services, including law enforcement, ambulances, and fire brigade vehicles, are exempt from these restrictions. Limited movement may be permitted in emergencies with prior approval from police or security personnel, as reported by Dawn.
Authorities have urged residents to carry identification while traveling and to adhere to instructions from law enforcement. These measures aim to maintain public safety and order in the district.
Previously, on February 28, Section 144 was implemented in various areas of Dera Ismail Khan to safeguard the public and avert potential incidents amid rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The recent hostilities began when Taliban-led Afghan forces retaliated against Pakistani military targets on February 27, following Pakistan's actions against individuals within Afghan territory on February 21. In response to these attacks, Pakistan initiated 'Operation Ghazab lil-Haq' (Righteous Fury).