KP police shifts to high-tech, intelligence-led counterterrorism strategy

The development came to light during a high-level briefing held at the Central Police Office (CPO) Peshawar for a 14-member delegation of the 47th Mid-

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police is moving towards a technology-driven and intelligence-led counterterrorism strategy as militants increasingly employ drones, thermal equipment, modern weapons and encrypted communications, senior officials told a delegation of the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA).

The development came to light during a high-level briefing held at the Central Police Office (CPO) Peshawar for a 14-member delegation of the 47th Mid-Career Management Course (MCMC) of NIPA, Islamabad. The briefing was supervised by Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Hameed.

DIG Operations Shakir Hussain Dawar and DIG Information Technology Ijaz Ahmed briefed the delegation on the province’s evolving crime and terrorism landscape, police response mechanisms, the capabilities and expansion of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), infrastructure fortification and the incorporation of modern technology into policing.

Officials explained that the nature of the terrorist threat in KP has changed significantly, with militant networks increasingly relying on commercially available drones for surveillance and attacks, thermal and night-vision equipment, modern assault weapons and digital communication systems.

During the briefing, IGP Zulfiqar Hameed emphasised that the police strategy was focused on preventing attacks rather than merely responding after an incident. He said staying ahead of terrorist networks through timely intelligence, accurate analysis and swift operational action remained a central objective of the provincial police.

The IGP said intelligence-based action against terrorists, their facilitators and support networks was essential for preventing attacks and strengthening security. He also highlighted the sacrifices of KP Police personnel in the fight against terrorism, saying the force was continuing to develop as a professional organisation equipped with modern technology.

According to officials familiar with the briefing, the police are strengthening CTD capabilities through enhanced mobility, surveillance and technical capacity, while expanding its presence at regional and district levels. Modern command-and-control facilities are also being developed to improve coordination and operational response.

The police are also moving towards greater use of surveillance drones, counter-drone systems, armoured personnel carriers, thermal and night-vision equipment, signal-jamming technology and other specialised equipment in high-risk areas.

Infrastructure at police stations, check posts and other sensitive installations is likewise being strengthened through bullet-proofing and fortification. Officials said CCTV coverage, aerial surveillance, thermal imaging and digital intelligence systems were being integrated into a broader command-and-control framework linking districts across the province.

The briefing also drew on lessons from previous attacks in areas including Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan and North Waziristan, with officials stressing the need to enhance the protection of vulnerable police installations against increasingly sophisticated threats.

Members of the NIPA delegation, comprising senior officers from federal and provincial services, appreciated the detailed briefing and paid tribute to the sacrifices of KP Police personnel in the fight against terrorism.

The delegation also raised questions regarding intelligence coordination, inter-provincial cooperation and resources for modern security equipment. The IGP and senior police officers responded to the queries and explained the province’s evolving counterterrorism requirements.

The session concluded with an exchange of shields between IGP Zulfiqar Hameed and the head of the NIPA delegation.

The briefing underscored a broader shift in KP’s policing approach, with authorities seeking to combine intelligence, technology and rapid response to disrupt terrorist plans before they translate into attacks.