New Delhi: In the backdrop of the terror attack on schoolchildren in Peshawar, Pakistan, the Union home ministry has issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for security in schools to foil terror attacks, armed intrusion, indiscriminate firing, kidnapping bids and hostage-like situations.

The SOPs for schools were first drafted after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, and have been re-issued with greater details in the instructions.

In the revised standard operating procedures issued by the Centre, schools have been asked to deploy 24/7 guards with walkie-talkies at all entry and exit points, a central alarm system, ensure properly built concrete boundary walls, instal CCTV cameras to monitor the movement of any suspicious person, with recording facilities for the last three days, proper illumination and regular patrolling by the police near the school premises.

Schools have also been asked to maintain updated details of phone numbers of police control room and the local police.

In case armed terrorists enter the school and hold teachers or students hostage, the authorities should inform the police and, in the meantime, the children and teachers should stay back in their respective rooms and those in verandas should rush to the nearest rooms and not indulge in any “rash” acts like running towards the door to escape.

They should close the doors from inside and lie low in the room to escape random firing, the SOPs say.

It also said, “Children may not be asked to gather in any open ground as they can become easy targets. In case of any doubt, there should be no movement. The children and teachers must wait for police’s arrival.

If a suspected explosive object is found, the school staff, teachers and students should be regularly briefed not to touch any unattended object.

To avoid cases of ‘forcible entry’ all gates should be kept locked after the arrival of the children and opened only for bona fide reasons.