RAWALPINDI: The Special Branch has informed the Rawalpindi police that the PTl workers were purchasing batons, bamboos, foam jackets, catapults etc., from the local markets.

The Special Branch also provided the police with the names of the PTl workers involved in buying the anti-riot tools with a suggestion to arrest them before Nov 2.

In a report sent to the city police officer (CPO), the intelligence wing of the police warned that the PTl workers were fully prepared to resist the law enforcement agencies if they were stopped from heading towards Islamabad on Nov 2.

It said the activists had also been buying foam jackets to avert the effect of rubber bullets if fired by the police to stop them from entering the capital.

The intelligence said these tools were being purchased from Raja Bazaar, Chakri Road and Mohra Chappar.

It said the foam jackets would help the protesters reduce the effect of rubber bullets if fired by the police.

`The PTl activists involved in collecting anti-riot tools to fight the police have planned to gather at Faizabad and block the road at eight points. Later, the workers will be ordered to move ahead by pushing aside all the barriers,` the report added.

Earlier, the intelligence agency had reported to the police that PTl workers and activists were expected to bring gas masks and batons with them. Some of them were also likely to get anti-riot tools from the local market.

It had said the PTl workers could get masks, batons and bamboos from shops dealing in police uniforms, masks and other items used by law enforcement agencies.

As many as 12 shops dealing in masks and shops selling sticks and bamboos were identified in the report. The report suggested to the police to stop the shopkeepers from selling sticks and bamboos ahead of the PTI`s planned lockdown of Islamabad.

As a part of their strategy to block access points to Islamabad, police have started moving shipping containers and trucks towards Sadiqabad, Shakrial, Dhoke Kala Khan, Khayaban-i-Sir Syed and Pirwadhai.

A large number of containers had been confiscated by the police ahead of Sheikh Rashid`s planned public rally on Oct 28.Mohammad Asghar