170 Thousand Cops to Anticipate Potential Suicide Attacks Ahead of Vote

National Gendarmerie and National Security Department (DGSN) have drawn up a joint security plan ahead of the parliamentary election of 10 May.

Echorouk reporter, Nouara Bachouche, understands that the security plan is meant to anticipate potential terror acts on the eve of the elections. The plan comprises toughening control and checkpoints around official buildings, security stations, in addition to train and bus stations.

170 thousand gendarme and police officers have been mobilized to implement this security plan, a security source said, adding that three policemen will be present near each poll station, to guarantee the smooth running of the ballot process. 

Gendarme and police patrols will be intensified around the sites where political parties are due to run their electoral campaign.

Meanwhile, following the suicide attack that targeted the headquarters of Nhational Gendarmeie in Tamnerasset, Chief of National Gendarmerie, General Ahmed Boustilla, and Head of DGSN, General Abdelghani Hamel, have both ordered their unities nationwide to intensify security measure around their headquarters to anticipate any further attacks.

Detectives concluded that al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb is intending to assault security targets, as 68 potential suicide bombers have been mobilised for this “mission.”