No bearded cop to guard VVIPs

LAHORE - In a major policy shift in the aftermath of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer's assassination by one of his security guards, the provincial government has begun proper screening and scrutiny of the officials of Elite Force to avoid any
further untoward happening.

Well-placed sources revealed here on Friday that ten bearded personnel of Elite Force have been withdrawn from VVIP's security as the governor's killing sparked security concerns among the top politicians, particularly liberal and moderate ones.

Sources close to the Joint Investigations Team (JIT) probing into the assassination of Salmaan Taseer also disclosed to this reporter that the security agencies have arrested a suspect in connection with the on-going inquiry during a successful raid carried out in Sabzazaar area late on Wednesday night.

The suspect has been shifted to an unknown location for further interrogation, sources said, adding, there is a strong possibility that the suspect had links with Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, who gunned down Punjab Governor in the federal capital and later confessed the murder.

Sources also revealed that the investigators traced the suspect through the cellular phone of the killer as there were specific text messages on the handset of Qadri, an official of the Elite Force, established years ago to provide security cover to the VVIPs.

According to the police sources, a special team of the Elite Force comprising experienced officers have begun screening of the Elite Force officials in order to monitor their activities and religious leanings.

No bearded cop to guard VVIPs