Karachi, Nov 17 (IANS) A helicopter will maintain vigil on one of Pakistan’s biggest cattle markets, which can accommodate 400,000 animals, to ensure safety of people who throng the market ahead of Eid, an official said.
The chopper has been pressed into service by the management of the cattle market that is located on the Super Highway here. The first flight of the chopper took place Monday.

Pakistan has witnessed several terror strikes, including massive bombings, since Oct 5. Over 250 people have been killed in the terror attacks carried out by the Taliban, which is battling the army in mountainous South Waziristan. One of the worst terror attacks took place Oct 28 in a crowded Peshawar market, killing over 115 people.

Shahab Ali Ikram, cattle market administrator, told The News that the helicopter would be hired whenever required.

Ikram said that there were tight security measures with closed circuit cameras having been installed throughout the market.

The biggest seasonal cattle market of Pakistan has been set up along both sides of the Super Highway. This year it is spread in an area measuring about 650 acres.

Ikram said that the cattle market can accommodate 400,000 sacrificial animals, including 200,000 cows and 200,000 goats.

He said that around 100,000 sacrificial cows, 35,000 goats and 100 camels had already been brought to the market.

Last year, Ikram said, about 185,000 cows and the same number of goats were brought to the cattle market.

He said that for the last four years, yaks had not been brought to the market from Gilgit and Skardu.

Ikram said that a cow was being sold at Rs.50,000 on an average, while the price of a goat is about Rs.15,000.