ecurity has been put on high alert across the Punjab, with a specific focus on Lahore, as law enforcement agencies move to counter rising cross-border threats.

Following a wave of public protests sparked by the US attack on Iran, and rising concerns over cross-border militant activity from Afghanistan, Lahore police have implemented a “maximum security” protocol. The measures aim to thwart potential sabotage and ensure public safety across the city.

Talking exclusively to TNS, Capital City Police Officer Bilal Siddique Kamyana said the high-security alert was a direct response to evolving regional threats. “We have directed all units to ramp up vigilance and ensure strict monitoring of sensitive locations,” he said.

This strategy includes a visible surge in presence. Elite Force units have been stationed at government offices and law enforcement installations; security has been significantly tightened around mosques, imambargahs and crowded commercial markets; and increased patrolling and snap-checking are under way at transportation hubs and educational institutions.

The CCPO noted that Lahore Police, in coordination with provincial and national agencies, had recently executed large-scale search and combing operations. These “intelligence-led” actions targeted areas suspected of harbouring militant facilitators.

During these raids, teams verified residential records, inspected hotels and guest houses, and scrutinised tenant data. These efforts led to the detention of several individuals lacking proper identification and the seizure of illegal weaponry.

“Our shift towards intelligence-based policing is a game-changer,” Kamyana said. “Instead of merely responding to incidents, we are utilising digital monitoring and data analyses to identify and disrupt support networks before they can act.”

DIG Zeeshan Raza says that the security overhaul extends to the police’s own infrastructure. Vigilance has been increased at investigation centres and open kutcheris (public forums).

A crucial component of the strategy is the protection of foreign nationals, particularly Chinese engineers and workers engaged in major infrastructure projects. “Special security arrangements have been made for diplomatic missions and international organisations,” the CCPO added. This included dedicated escort systems, enhanced CCTV surveillance, and specialised security units for residential areas frequented by foreign visitors.

DIG Zeeshan Raza said that the security overhaul extended to the police’s own infrastructure. Vigilance has been increased at investigation centres and during open kutcheris (public forums).

“The rise in cross-border militancy has necessitated a total reform of our investigation methods,” he said, adding that the department was maintaining a close watch on the interrogation of suspects rounded up during recent sweeps to ensure that no lead was missed.

A senior officer from the Counter-Terrorism Department, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the department was currently prioritising “targeted raids” over large-scale military-style action. By leaning on a network of informants and sophisticated surveillance, the CTD has recently dismantled several sleeper cells believed to be linked to extremist organisations.

The officer said that while the threat remained a serious challenge, the synergy between the CTD, the Lahore Police and national intelligence agencies had created a formidable barrier against those seeking to destabilise the city.

Ahsan Zia is a print and broadcast journalist