PESHAWAR: As police, along with security forces and locals, are fighting terrorists in Bannu and other areas, the federal and provincial governments have yet to positively respond to two genuine demands of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police: declaring the province a Hard Area and releasing a special Militancy Allowance.
“Up to 15 militants were killed, and another 15 were wounded in an operation by police, security forces, and locals in Bannu,” spokesman for KP Police Abdul Salam Khalid told The News. He said two cops embraced martyrdom and five others were wounded. The cops were enraged after successive attacks on the force and wanted to avenge them.
For the last few years, several districts of the province have been facing a worsening law and order situation. Most districts in Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan divisions, as well as some other parts of KP, are facing frequent attacks on police and security forces.
In the southern districts of KP, many cops have been martyred in targeted killings, ambushes, IED blasts, and attacks on their houses, offices, and stations since 2021.
A majority of the cops in these districts are still short of facilities and incentives, despite fighting the war.
A number of facilities, including bulletproof cars, jackets, protected buildings, jammers, night-vision goggles, and weapons, have been provided to police in several districts over the last few years. However, the force, especially those fighting on the ground, still needs more support.
They also need incentives for performing duties in stations that are more volatile and face frequent attacks.
Senior police officials, on a number of occasions, have taken up the issue with the federal and provincial governments, demanding Hard Area status for KP. They argue that the situation in KP is worse than in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, which have already been declared Hard Areas.
The Central Police Office (CPO) has also written to the government several times about the issue, but the government is yet to respond positively. The demand has been pending for over a decade.
The KP Police sent another proposal demanding Hard Area-like status for at least Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan divisions, and a few other troubled districts after previous requests were ignored. The force has asked that this status be given at least to the worst-affected districts.
Faced with the toughest challenge of terrorism for over two decades, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police have also asked the government to approve funds for a special Militancy Allowance for all policemen in the province.
The letter was written to the government five months ago, asking for incentives for policemen who are bravely facing suicide attacks, blasts, ambushes, rocket and drone attacks.
The police have asked for approval of Rs4,243 million per month as a Special Militancy Allowance for all ranks and cadres of the force.
“In view of the severe militancy and security challenges faced by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the provincial government has placed the enhancement of police capacity and their welfare among its top priorities,” stated a letter by the then deputy inspector general, Finance, KP to the government in December.
The letter added that due to the government’s focused efforts and effective administrative measures, not only has the law and order situation improved, but the government’s overall public image has also strengthened.
“In this context, special financial incentives such as the Militancy Allowance are being provided to police personnel, keeping in view the grave risks, operational responsibilities, and constant exposure to threats,” the letter stated.
It continued that these measures are intended to boost the morale of the force and enable them to discharge their duties with greater confidence.
“Due to their role on the front lines, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police have continuously confronted terrorists and insurgents, often at great personal risk. The KP Police have made countless sacrifices, including the loss of precious lives and serious injuries,” the letter stated.
The document highlighted that duties in the province remain extremely hazardous, involving threats such as bomb blasts, targeted attacks, and other violent activities carried out by extremist elements.
“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police are currently performing their duties without any additional financial incentives despite the challenging security environment and operational nature of their assignments. In view of the continuous high-risk duties performed by all cadres of the KP Police, it is proposed that a special allowance equivalent to one running basic salary be granted to all ranks across the force,” it recommended.
The KP Police have been facing an even greater challenge in terms of terrorism for over two decades. However, different federal and provincial governments over the years have largely ignored some of the force’s genuine demands, including Hard Area status, protected vehicles, and special incentives for police officers to more effectively pursue criminals and terrorists.
