imageKARACHI: Hundreds of the participants of main procession arranged on eve of Youm e Hazrat Ali (R.A) marked their journey amidst tight security on culmination of a majlis at Nishtar Park Thursday noon.

With all roads and side lanes sealed right from Mazar e Quaid off M.A.Jinnah Road to Kharadar via Saddar, the mourners including men, women and children offered their Zuhrain prayers at Numaish intersection with relative calm.

Karachi police in close coordination with Pakistan Rangers Sindh have made unprecedented security arrangements to avert any possible attempt of sabotage.

It was after fool proof checking that people were allowed to join the procession with each and every vehicle part of it had to prominently display special token issued by the police.

Armed cops were not only accompanying the procession at close distance but could also be witnessed on both sides of the procession routes besides being mounted on high rise buildings.

Helicopters were also hovering over the procession to ensure optimum surveillance.

Inspector General of Police - Sindh, Ghulam Haider Jamali talking to media said robots have been used for bomb-sweeping at the central procession from Numaish Chowrangi off M.A. Jinnah Road to Kharadar via Saddar.

Moreover, special steps have also been taken to ensure safety at all mosques and imam bargahs located on the route as well as those considered to be sensitive.

In reply to a question, he said the robots can also be used to diffuse improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

City administration had announced alternative routes for people using M.A.Jinnah Road, right from Guru Mandi to Tower and also parts of Saddar and Kharadar as these were shut for normal traffic on Thursday.

Yet a mess was registered at varied points since morning as there was shortage of traffic cops to guide the regular commuters.

The procession will culminate at Hussainiya Sajjadia Imambargah with Maghribain prayers.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2015

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