KP police conduct 2,004 counterterrorism operations in six months

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Police carried out 2,004 counterterrorism operations across the province during the first six months of the year, arresting 504 militants and killing 182, according to a performance report released on Monday.

The report was presented during a meeting chaired by Zulfiqar Hameed to review the overall law and order situation in the province.

Officials said the report outlined the force’s operational achievements in counterterrorism, crime control and public safety during the first half of the year.

Counterterrorism operations and security measures

According to the report, police came under attack 294 times during the six-month period but successfully repelled 161 of those attacks through what officials described as effective operational planning. The force also thwarted 341 drone attacks by militants using modern anti-drone technology.

The report said that among those arrested were 14 key commanders linked to “Fitna al-Khawarij”. Police also recovered two suicide jackets and 1,771 kilogrammes of explosives during various operations.

In what the Central Police Office described as a first in Pakistan’s history, the province established a dedicated Police Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Division to strengthen surveillance and counterterrorism capabilities.

The report added that 122 police personnel embraced martyrdom while performing their duties during the reporting period.

Crime crackdown and IGP’s directives

Beyond counterterrorism operations, the police arrested 10,718 suspects during anti-narcotics operations and apprehended 10,173 proclaimed offenders over the past six months. Under the National Action Plan, police also detained 10,540 suspects in security operations.

Authorities further registered cases against 8,125 illegally residing Afghan nationals who were taken into custody.

Addressing the meeting, IGP Zulfiqar Hameed said protecting the lives and property of citizens would remain the force’s foremost priority. He directed officers to maintain close coordination with other law enforcement agencies and ordered strict action against elements attempting to disrupt peace.

The police chief also praised the role of nearly 50,000 police personnel deployed during Muharram, saying their efforts helped ensure peaceful observance of the month across the province. He expressed confidence that the force would continue achieving success in operations against militants and criminal networks.