Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police have paid an extraordinary price in the fight against terrorism, with 2,659 police personnel sacrificing their lives in the line of duty since 1970, according to the latest data released by the Central Police Office (CPO). The figures underscore the immense sacrifices made by the provincial police force in maintaining law and order, particularly following the launch of the global war on terror and the subsequent resurgence of militant violence.
According to the CPO, 2,413 police personnel embraced martyrdom between 2001 and the present, highlighting the dramatic escalation in terrorist violence following the onset of counter-terrorism operations. Prior to that period, 246 police personnel were martyred between 1970 and 2000, bringing the overall number of KP Police martyrs to 2,659.
The data reveals that Peshawar district recorded the highest number of police martyrs, with 386 personnel sacrificing their lives. It was followed by Bannu, where 265 policemen were martyred, and Dera Ismail Khan, which recorded 249 police martyrs. A significant proportion of these sacrifices occurred during the last four years, coinciding with the resurgence of terrorist attacks in the province.
The breakdown by rank demonstrates that frontline police personnel have borne the greatest burden of the conflict. Of the 2,659 police martyrs, 1,906 were constables, 346 were head constables, 161 were sub-inspectors, 157 were assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs), and 54 were inspectors.
The list of fallen officers also includes some of the province’s most senior police leaders who lost their lives while leading counter-terrorism efforts. Among them were two Additional Inspectors General (AIGs), Safwat Ghayur and Ashraf Noor; two Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), Malik Muhammad Saad and Abid Ali; one Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP); six Superintendents of Police (SPs); one Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP); and 24 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs)/Acting SPs.
The sacrifice extended across specialized police formations as well. Since 1970, 240 personnel of the Frontier Reserve Police (FRP), 134 members of the Elite Force, and 84 personnel of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) have also laid down their lives in the line of duty.
District-wise statistics further highlight the widespread impact of terrorism across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Following Peshawar, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan, the highest numbers of police martyrs were recorded in Mardan (118), Swat (115), Lakki Marwat (96), Charsadda (88), Kohat (75), Swabi (66), Lower Dir (65), Hangu (62), Tank (62), Nowshera (59), and Bajaur (52).
Other affected areas include Khyber (42), Buner (39), North Waziristan (38), Upper Dir (37), Special Branch (35), Shangla (31), Mansehra (31), Karak (30), South Waziristan Lower (26), Telecommunication & Transport Wing (22), Abbottabad (16), Haripur (14), Kurram (10), Orakzai (9), Torghar (9), Rapid Response Force (RRF) (9), Battagram (8), Mohmand (8), Upper Chitral (5), South Waziristan Upper (5), Lower Chitral (4), Kolai Palas (3), Central Police Office/Officers (3), CPEC KP (2), Upper Kohistan (1), and Lower Kohistan (1).
The latest report also addresses previous discrepancies in casualty data. Officials acknowledged that earlier statistics released by different departments within the Central Police Office often reflected lower numbers, creating confusion regarding the actual toll. According to informed sources, previous data may have excluded personnel serving in specialized units, recording only district-level casualties. The updated figures now present a more comprehensive account of police personnel who embraced martyrdom across all formations.
The year-wise data illustrates the changing security environment over the past two decades. During the first seven months of the current year, 150 KP Police personnel have already been martyred. Earlier records show 235 police martyrs in 2025, 169 in 2024, 197 in 2023, 93 in 2022, and 63 in 2021, reflecting a renewed surge in terrorist violence after several years of relative improvement.
The period immediately following the launch of the war on terror witnessed some of the highest annual losses suffered by the force. According to CPO records, 101 policemen were martyred in 2007, 172 in 2008, 210 in 2009, 108 in 2010, 154 in 2011, 106 in 2012, 135 in 2013, and 111 in 2014.
The security situation improved for several years thereafter, with 61 police martyrs recorded in 2015, 74 in 2016, 36 in 2017, 30 in 2018, 38 in 2019, and 34 in 2020. However, the data indicates that terrorist attacks began increasing again in 2021, leading to another sustained rise in police casualties over the following years.
The latest figures underscore the unwavering commitment and sacrifices of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police in confronting terrorism and safeguarding communities across the province. Despite facing evolving security threats and repeated attacks, the force has remained at the forefront of Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts, with thousands of officers making the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
