LAHORE, December 8, 2025 — Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. Usman Anwar has ordered a province-wide high alert, instructing police officials to conduct immediate sweep and combing operations to counter potential threats. The announcement follows recent arrests of suspected terrorists allegedly linked to India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
Chairing a high-level security meeting in Lahore, IG Anwar directed intensified security across major cities including Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan. Sub-divisional police officers (SDPOs) and station house officers (SHOs) have been instructed to coordinate closely with the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and other security agencies for the operations.
“Heightened vigilance and prompt action are necessary to protect citizens and maintain law and order,” Dr. Anwar said, emphasizing that profiling and data checks of individuals arriving from outside the province must be conducted immediately.
The Punjab IG also ordered mock drills in educational institutions to assess preparedness and called for the installation of CCTV cameras at all entry and exit points, deployment of security guards, and implementation of emergency evacuation plans. Door-to-door checks will be carried out to identify and neutralize potential extremist elements. Continuous monitoring of banned organisations, including Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), has been mandated.
Highlighting achievements within the police force, IG Anwar praised the traffic department for a 930% increase in traffic licensing, the DIG Operations for reducing crime by 46% in Lahore, and the Crime Control Department (CCD) for tackling crime and drug trafficking. He also lauded traffic enforcement efforts that led to a significant drop in road accidents. Additionally, the Punjab police will see 3,500 new promotions in the coming days.
The security alert comes after the CTD announced the arrest of 12 suspected terrorists in Lahore, Faisalabad, and Bahawalpur. Weapons, explosives, detonators, and sensitive intelligence materials were recovered from the suspects, who are alleged to have links with India’s RAW.
IG Anwar stressed that the operations aim to safeguard public safety and ensure a proactive approach against terrorism, extremism, and cross-border threats in Punjab.
