Islamabad Police introduces net launchers, drones and other crowd-control equipment ahead of Sept 27 march

Islamabad Police has introduced new non-lethal crowd-control equipment, including net launchers, pepper-ball guns

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Police has introduced new non-lethal crowd-control equipment, including net launchers, pepper-ball guns and drone surveillance systems, ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) march scheduled for September 27, 2026.

Sources familiar with the security arrangements told Minute Mirror that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi recently witnessed a demonstration of the newly acquired equipment at Police Lines Headquarters in Islamabad.

The introduction of net launchers marks the first reported deployment of such equipment by Islamabad Police for a major political demonstration in the federal capital. The handheld devices are designed to fire high-strength nets capable of restricting the movement of individuals, enabling law-enforcement personnel to detain them without resorting to lethal force.

According to officials briefed on the equipment, the net launcher is intended for situations involving individuals who allegedly resist arrest, attempt to damage public property or pose a threat to police personnel. The system can be used from a relatively short distance and is aimed at reducing the risk of serious injuries associated with physical confrontation.

Sources said the police have also been testing other modern crowd-management technologies as part of a broader effort to strengthen non-lethal policing capabilities.

The equipment includes pepper-ball launchers and long-range acoustic devices (LRADs), which can be used to communicate warnings or disperse crowds from a distance. Pepper-ball rounds are designed to cause temporary irritation, while LRAD systems can transmit high-volume warning messages and tones over considerable distances.

A drone-based surveillance system is also being incorporated into the security arrangements. According to sources, high-resolution drones equipped with thermal imaging and other monitoring capabilities will be used to observe protest routes, monitor sensitive locations and collect footage for security and investigative purposes.

The security plan also includes body cameras and live-streaming units for anti-riot personnel. Sources said the equipment has been made part of efforts to document law-enforcement activity, maintain an evidence record and improve oversight during crowd-control operations. Live feeds are expected to be monitored at the Safe City control room.

Officials also mentioned the use of expandable barriers and protective equipment for managing close-contact situations and restricting access to sensitive areas.

Meanwhile, authorities have finalized a wider security plan for September 27. Section 144 is expected to remain in force in Islamabad, restricting public gatherings, while more than 1,000 containers are being placed at strategic points to control movement into the capital.

Major routes, including sections of the GT Road and motorways leading towards Islamabad, may also face restrictions depending on the security situation.

Sources said Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) have been deployed in Islamabad from September 20 to October 5 as part of the security arrangements. Authorities are also considering temporary suspension of mobile and internet services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on the day of the planned march.

Special anti-riot contingents equipped with the newly introduced equipment are expected to be positioned at sensitive locations, including D-Chowk, Faizabad, Zero Point and entry points towards the Red Zone.

A senior security official said the primary objective of the arrangements is to prevent unauthorized entry into high-security areas while keeping the use of force to a minimum.

The new equipment represents an effort by Islamabad Police to expand its crowd-management capabilities through technology-based, non-lethal measures alongside conventional security arrangements.