RAWALPINDI: At least 4,900 police officials will be deployed on security duties at almost 140 churches in Rawalpindi on Christmas, as the district police categorised these churches into three distinct groupings based on theirvulnerability.

A comprehensive security and deployment plan of more than 4,900 police personnel, including Elite Force and women police, had been made to ensure foolproof security for the midnight services and Christmas Day.

Of the 4,928 police personnel, 2,402 would be deployed for midnight services while the remaining led by one SSP and four SPs would be deployed to ensure tightened security for Christmas Day.

`All the personnel have been directed to report on their duty points at least twohours before the Christmas activities are started,` said police on Sunday.

Besides establishing a main control room,drone cameras will be used to monitor the Christmas activities and to film videos of the route to ensure a peaceful atmosphere. Policepersonnel have also been directed to show patience and manners with people while performing the most sensitive security duty.

The City Traffic Police have been assigned to provide barriers at selected points and to keep the roads clear in case of any emergency for the movement of ambulances, fire tenders, bomb disposal squad and Civil Defense and other emergencyrelated vehicles. Punjab Constabulary, equipped with anti-riot tools has also been called to assist the district police.

For Christmas Day service, out of 140 churches, 114 are in Category C (normal), 14 in Category B (sensitive), and 12 are in Category A (most sensitive)., Elite Force officials would be deployed at rooftops and bunkers would be erected on the premises of these churches.

Of the 140 churches, 51 are located in Rawal Division: seven churches have been categorised in A and seven in B, while 37 are in C. In the Potohar Division, 65 churches are located: five are in Category A, four are in Category B, and 56 are in Category C. In Saddar Division, 22 churches are located.

Out of them, 20 have been placed in Category B, while two are in Category C. In Kohsar Division, two churches are located:both are in the B and C categories.

For midnight services, 129 churches have been divided into three categories to ensure foolproof security.

Of the 129 churches, 13 have been placed in Category A, eight in Category B and 108 in Category C. Every person entering the churches will be subjected to search with metal detectors while plain-clothed personnel will also be deployed at churches.

Besides the deployment of the police at churches, the police have also made security plans for Christians` graveyards and public parks on Christmas Day. Special patrolling by Elite force squads will be on patrol from morning to sunset.

As part of the security plan, police personnel and the ladies` police will be deployed at eight public parks located in the Rawalpindi district, including Taxila.

The parl(s included Jinnah Parl(, Ayub National Park, Joy Land, Romi Park, Wah Garden Park, Allama Iqbal Park, Children Park in Commercial Market, and Shehbaz Sharif Park near Shaheen Chowk.

Police will also be deployed at eight graveyards of the Christian community located in Dhok Matkal, Pirwadhai, Clifton Road Murree, Gora Graveyard Civil Lines and others.