Terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have surged by 195% over the past two years, with police and security agencies facing growing operational challenges, shortages of personnel and equipment, and an alarming rise in drone attacks, according to two special security reports presented at a meeting chaired by the prime minister.
The reports, prepared by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police and intelligence agencies, highlighted the deteriorating security situation in the province and identified serious gaps in preparedness, governance and counterterrorism measures.
According to the findings, the presence of terrorist elements in Afghanistan, local facilitators, and what the reports described as inadequate provincial policies and a lenient approach toward terrorists had contributed to the growing threat. The reports also pointed to shortcomings in provincial preparedness, attention to security and effective counterterrorism efforts, which had allowed terrorist networks to expand their activities.
Between March 1, 2024, and September 23, 2026, terrorist incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa increased by 195%, underscoring the mounting pressure on law enforcement agencies. The reports also identified links between terrorist networks, local facilitation and illegal activities as a major security challenge.
Police and Security Forces Bear Brunt of Attacks
The reports revealed that police and security agencies were targeted in 73% of terrorist attacks recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during 2026, highlighting the sustained pressure on frontline security personnel.
The use of drones by terrorists has also increased sharply. No drone attacks targeting police and security agencies were reported in 2024, but the number reportedly reached 170 in 2026. The reports cited an increase of approximately 107% in terrorist drone attacks over one year, pointing to the evolving tactics employed by terrorist networks.
Explosive attacks have also remained a significant concern. Improvised explosive device (IED) attacks rose to 181 in 2025, while 159 such incidents had been recorded by September 2026.
The reports stressed that police and law enforcement agencies must strengthen their operational capabilities to counter increasingly sophisticated terrorist tactics, including drone-based attacks and the use of improvised explosives.
Thousands of Police Vacancies, Equipment Shortages Hamper Response
The reports identified significant personnel and equipment shortages within the provincial police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), warning that these deficiencies were undermining the ability of security agencies to respond effectively to the growing threat.
More than 9,000 positions in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police remain vacant, while both the police and CTD face shortages of modern weapons and essential operational equipment.
The Safe City project, which could strengthen surveillance and improve law enforcement coordination, remains limited to Peshawar rather than covering the entire province.
The reports also highlighted a shortage of armored and protected vehicles in the southern districts, among the areas most severely affected by terrorism. The lack of secure transport has hampered police mobility and reduced operational effectiveness in these high-risk areas.
Police and CTD units also lack sufficient modern surveillance and intelligence-gathering equipment, including night-vision devices and thermal imaging systems.
CTD Faces Shortage of Specialized Personnel and Infrastructure
The reports raised concerns over the limited training, resources and operational capacity of police in the merged districts, where security agencies face persistent counterterrorism challenges.
The CTD, despite being the province’s specialized counterterrorism force, is facing a serious shortage of trained personnel and continues to rely on regular police staff to meet its manpower requirements.
Its district offices, operational facilities and specialized infrastructure were also described as inadequate for the scale of the threat. The reports called for dedicated, modern and stronger CTD infrastructure to improve its ability to respond to increasingly complex terrorist activity.
Strengthening specialized manpower, improving surveillance capabilities and providing modern equipment were identified as essential steps toward addressing the province’s deteriorating security situation.
Cabinet Committee Raises Alarm Over Security and Governance
The cabinet committee expressed serious concern over the increase in terrorist incidents, institutional weaknesses and governance-related issues in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The reports were reviewed in detail, with particular attention to gaps in the capabilities of security agencies, provincial preparedness and counterterrorism measures. The committee also examined the factors behind the deteriorating law and order situation and the responsibilities of the relevant authorities.
The findings underscored the need for a more effective counterterrorism response, improved coordination among security institutions and stronger operational capacity to confront the evolving threat across the province.
