Karbala police hatch security plan to protect pilgrims bound for Najaf

KARBALA / IraqiNews.com: A security plan is in place to protect pilgrims traveling on foot from Karbala and other Iraqi cities to Najaf for the anniversary of the death of the Prophet Muhammad on Tuesday, the Karbala police director said on Sunday. “Some eight-thousand security personnel from the Iraqi army and police were deployed already deployed on the Najaf-bound roads and areas to be used by the pilgrims,” Maj. General Ali Jassem Mohammed told IraqiNews.com news agency. “The plan also envisaged wide-scale raids in search of weapons and outlaws,” he added. Tuesday will mark the anniversary of the death of the Prophet Muhammad ibn Abdullah as Shiite Muslims will head for the shrine of Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb, the prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, on foot to read the Quran and recite prayers. AmR (P)/SR 1