PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police have been equipped with the latest technology, and more than 250 drone attacks have been foiled in Bannu division alone during the last four months.
“After providing anti-drone systems to several districts, the force is set to receive 32 state-of-the-art armoured personnel carriers equipped with remote-controlled weapon systems, cameras and jammers in the coming days,” Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed told The News.
He said KP Police is the first police force in the country to acquire these vehicles, one of which has already been handed over to Bannu.The IGP said more sophisticated weapons, anti-drone technology, jammers and bullet-proof vehicles are being provided to all districts, particularly the troubled ones, as well as to the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD).
He added that more fortified buildings are being constructed across the province, especially in volatile districts, to protect police personnel from attacks.The police chief said Rs18 billion is being spent on 88 projects involving the construction of police lines, police stations and police posts in the merged districts in the coming months.
“After Peshawar, the Safe City Project in Dera Ismail Khan will be completed within about a month, followed by a similar project in Bannu. Safe City projects are also planned for Karak, Lakki Marwat and North Waziristan,” Zulfiqar Hameed said.
When asked about the shortcomings of the Peshawar Safe City project, the IGP said additional cameras could be installed and integrated into the system in the coming days. He added that several high-profile cases had been solved with the help of the project’s CCTV cameras.
The police chief said artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies are being introduced in forensic investigations. He said 16 forensic vans equipped with the latest technology have already been provided to districts, while more will be supplied soon.
The police chief added that senior officers are being posted to district investigation units as well as the CTD to improve performance.The IGP said there is a shortage of around 170 supervisory officers across the province, a situation that would improve once the force receives additional personnel. He said the police are short of around 70 officers in Grades 18 and 19, while another 100 officers are needed in Grade 17.
He said the force is also short of around 11,000 personnel compared to its sanctioned strength.“We have forwarded a case to declare Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a hard area so that we can attract and retain senior officers for postings as regional police officers and district police officers. Significant progress has been made on the case during the last several months, and we remain hopeful,” Zulfiqar Hameed said.
He added that a proposal has also been sent to the government seeking a militancy allowance for all police personnel in the province.“We have spent Rs1.5 billion on the welfare of the force, which is three times the amount spent a year ago. We have also sent a proposal to the government for providing houses to the families of martyrs, as is done in other provinces, as well as enhancing the compensation package for ghazis,” the IGP said.
He said police and the CTD have carried out a number of successful operations against terrorists in southern districts and other parts of the province.The IGP said the CTD is being strengthened across KP through the deployment of capable officers and the acquisition of sophisticated technology. He added that a special CTD cell is actively working against extortion and financial terrorism.
The police chief said more aggressive operations have also been conducted against drug dealers and criminals during the past several months.He said thousands of people were provided relief, while property and cash worth billions of rupees were returned to their rightful owners through police action against land mafias during the last year.
He added that dispute resolution councils had also settled thousands of cases.The IGP said more facilitation centres are being established across the province to assist members of the public seeking police services.
The police chief said merit has been ensured in all affairs of the force, including postings and transfers. He added that action had been taken against a number of police officials involved in corrupt practices, while scores of others had been rewarded for outstanding performance.
