Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police have significantly expanded and modernized their counter-terrorism capabilities in response to the evolving threat landscape, changing militant tactics, and increasing use of advanced technologies by terrorist groups operating in and around the province.
Officials acknowledge that while terrorist elements do not possess the strength to overwhelm the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, they have, in certain areas, managed to exert limited pressure and push law enforcement into a defensive posture. Security authorities attribute this shift largely to the changing nature of conflict, where militants have adopted modern warfare techniques and advanced technological tools to enhance their operational reach and mobility.
According to senior security officials, militant groups have increasingly relied on modern gadgets and equipment, including unmanned aerial systems, surveillance tools, and advanced weapons, some of which are believed to have been left behind in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of United States and allied forces after the fall of Kabul in 2021. These developments have necessitated a rapid transformation in policing strategies and operational preparedness.
In response to these emerging challenges, the police leadership has undertaken a comprehensive restructuring of its operational framework. Outdated weaponry has been phased out and replaced with modern equipment, surveillance systems, and communication technologies. However, officials acknowledge that despite these upgrades, additional measures were required to effectively counter the evolving threat environment.
Recognizing that conventional policing tactics were no longer sufficient against technologically equipped militant groups, the high command of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police established the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) as a specialized force trained for rapid assault operations, intelligence-driven raids, and coordinated counter-terrorism missions. Since its establishment, the CTD has played a central role in disrupting terrorist networks and conducting targeted operations across the province.
The CTD operates from its headquarters, described as a modern fortified structure located in the heart of Peshawar, which serves as a central hub for intelligence analysis, operational planning, and coordination. The department draws human resources from the broader police force; however, officials note that it still lacks fully dedicated and comprehensive facilities across the province, although steps are underway to address this gap.
In recognition of the growing importance of peace, public safety, and internal security, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has significantly increased financial allocation for police modernization and operational strengthening. According to official budget documents for the fiscal year 2026–27, the allocation for police has been raised from Rs. 67 billion in 2022–23 to Rs. 191.4 billion for the upcoming financial year, reflecting a substantial increase aimed at enhancing security preparedness.
Within this allocation, Rs. 14.5 billion has been specifically earmarked for the police procurement plan. Out of this amount, Rs. 7.77 billion has been allocated for arms and ammunition to strengthen operational firepower, while Rs. 1.81 billion has been designated for bulletproof vehicles, armored personnel carriers, and troop transport vehicles to improve mobility and protection. In addition, Rs. 3.56 billion has been allocated for thermal imaging cameras, drones, anti-drone systems, and advanced communication tools to enhance surveillance and battlefield awareness. Furthermore, Rs. 1.276 billion has been reserved for bulletproof vests and helmets to ensure personnel protection in high-risk operations.
Officials have stated that although the police force has been significantly upgraded, terrorist groups have also managed to acquire modern weaponry, again largely attributed to equipment left behind in Afghanistan. This has resulted in a dynamic and increasingly complex operational environment in which both sides possess varying degrees of technological capability.
A senior police official noted that militants often conduct attacks, retreat, and cross back without sustaining losses, sending messages to their handlers while simultaneously attempting to demonstrate operational presence to law enforcement agencies. This evolving pattern has contributed to the necessity of adopting more advanced, intelligence-driven countermeasures.
In response to these challenges, senior police leadership emphasized the establishment and strengthening of CTD as a transformative step in counter-terrorism operations. Officials believe that with enhanced training, modern infrastructure, and advanced technology, the operational balance will significantly shift within a short period of time. They expressed confidence that within approximately six months, the overall capacity and effectiveness of counter-terrorism operations will be further strengthened.
Authorities have stated that once fully developed, the CTD will function not merely as a department but as a fully staffed, armed, and highly trained operational force. It is expected to serve as a centralized intelligence hub capable of conducting precise and high-impact operations, leaving no safe space for terrorist elements in both urban and remote regions.
Officials also acknowledged that terrorist groups have expanded their use of aerial technology, particularly unmanned drones, for surveillance and attack purposes. These systems are reportedly used to observe targets and carry out precise strikes from a distance, increasing both the complexity and risk of counter-terrorism operations.
In response, the CTD has incorporated drone warfare capabilities into its operational doctrine. Officials confirmed that the department is not only procuring modern systems but is also actively training personnel in drone-based operational tactics. This includes the use of kamikaze drones designed not only for surveillance but also for offensive operations, as well as FPV (first-person view) systems that allow operators to conduct precision engagements through remote-controlled platforms, significantly altering the nature of modern conflict in the province.
When contacted, the Inspector General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, Zulfiqar Hameed, stated in a written response that since its establishment, the CTD’s primary focus has been the development of operational capability, and that existing gaps have been progressively addressed through structured planning and investment.
He confirmed that a Regional Headquarters for Peshawar has been approved, land has already been acquired, and construction will commence under the approved scheme. He further stated that CTD setups at the district level have also been approved, and will be gradually established across all 36 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the coming period.
The Police Chief further stated that Rs. 7.6 billion has been invested during the current financial year in the procurement of armored vehicles for Station House Officers and Deputy Superintendents of Police at the district level. He added that modern drones and aerial surveillance equipment, advanced software systems, and other technological tools have also been acquired to strengthen the operational architecture of the CTD.
Rejecting the perception that police forces are confined to their installations or unable to operate effectively during night hours, the Inspector General stated that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police and CTD operate round the clock. He emphasized that deployments are intelligence-led rather than time-based, and that intelligence-based operations, surveillance activities, raids, and targeted strikes are conducted whenever actionable intelligence is received, regardless of time or location.
He further noted that the nature of threats has evolved significantly, with terrorist groups now utilizing commercial drones, thermal imaging devices, and sophisticated weaponry, including M4 and M16 rifles. He stated that law enforcement agencies have accordingly adapted their operational tactics to counter these developments.
The Police Chief also confirmed that CTD currently operates 57 functional drones with 79 trained operators, providing enhanced surveillance capabilities and enabling precision operations in difficult terrain while minimizing risk to personnel.
He added that it would be incorrect to suggest that terrorists exercise control over any territory, stating that CTD, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, the Pakistan Army, and other intelligence agencies are conducting continuous and coordinated intelligence-based operations against terrorist networks across the province.
According to official statistics, in the year 2025 alone, CTD conducted 3,253 intelligence-based operations, arrested 1,388 terrorists, neutralized 458 militants, and secured 60 convictions through the judicial process. In the ongoing year 2026, up to mid-June, CTD has conducted 1,838 intelligence-based operations, arrested 474 terrorists, and neutralized 185 militants.
Officials further stated that several major terrorist networks have been dismantled, including operational structures in Paharpur Tehsil in Dera Ismail Khan as well as in Bannu. These actions, they said, have significantly degraded the operational capacity of militant groups in the region.
Authorities also confirmed that law enforcement agencies have successfully traced and arrested terrorist drone operators, facilitators, and financial networks, resulting in a substantial reduction in their operational effectiveness.
The Police Chief also highlighted that the peaceful completion of Muharram across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stands as clear evidence of the preparedness, coordination, and professionalism of the province’s police force.
He further revealed that security forces recently foiled a suicide attack in Peshawar. While details could not be disclosed due to ongoing follow-up operations, he confirmed that the investigation has made significant progress.
During the last year alone, CTD has also procured 97 operational vehicles, 10 armored personnel carriers, 505 motorcycles, 73 tactical drones, five advanced 5G locators, 36 jammers, anti-drone systems, CCTV surveillance equipment, 36 sniper rifles, 350 assault rifles, 350 sub-machine guns, 800 mortar rounds, 300 thermal sights, night vision devices, mine and explosive detectors, bulletproof jackets, ballistic helmets, ballistic shields, and modern SWAT equipment. Officials stated that delivery of these procurements has already begun.
They further stated that these acquisitions have significantly enhanced mobility, surveillance capacity, firepower, personnel protection, and overall operational effectiveness. The objective, they said, is not merely to match the evolving threat but to stay ahead of it through superior technology, advanced training, and intelligence-led operations.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police and CTD reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to maintaining peace, protecting citizens, and eliminating terrorist networks through sustained, precise, and intelligence-driven counter-terrorism operations across the province.
