IG Akhtar Hayat Khan’s tenure: Police conducted 5,948 operations

PESHAWAR: During the two-year tenure of the outgoing Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Akhtar Hayat Khan, the provincial police force conducted 5,948 intelligence-based operations, eliminating 585 terrorists, including high-value targets, and arresting 1,800.

The conviction rate for terrorists surged from 13 percent in 2022 to 38 percent in 2024, marking a significant improvement in counterterrorism efforts. Akhtar Hayat Khan’s tenure transformed the KP police into a modern and tech-driven force.

In a major crackdown on militant networks, KP police tracked and arrested terrorists involved in the Bisham attack on Chinese nationals, the Peshawar Police Lines bombing, and several other high-profile incidents. The force was strengthened with advanced training, modern weapons and high-tech surveillance systems to combat evolving security threats.

In a major push for modern policing, command and control centers were established in 28 districts, and an artificial intelligence (AI)-based integrated security system was installed in Peshawar’s Red Zone — the first of its kind in Pakistan. The project is now being expanded to adjacent areas to facilitate citizens. The police introduced the “Police Jawan App” and “Police Dost App”, along with police facilitation centers in several districts, allowing people to access essential documents under one roof.

During the last two years, a special security unit of over 8,000 officials was formed under the DIG Security, significantly improving the province’s law enforcement capabilities. To curb the rising wave of militancy, the Counter-Terrorism Department was reorganised and expanded, increasing its regional offices from 7 to 15. A counter-terrorist financing and extortion center was set up to disrupt militant funding.

CTD conducted 3,238 operations in 2024, eliminating 275 terrorists and arresting 811, including 32 high-value targets. In 2023 alone, 917 terrorists were arrested, 44 of whom had bounties on their heads. Around 300 were killed in 2,531 target-based operations.

Some of the most wanted terrorists killed during operations include commanders of TTP Gandapur Group, Tipu Gul Group, Zarar Group, Mohsin Qadir Group, Abu Zar Group, and ISKP networks. TTP shadow governor Abdul Rahim was also eliminated in a Peshawar operation. Security forces seized large caches of arms and explosives, including 7 suicide vests, 175 hand grenades, 87 Kalashnikovs, and 4,517 rounds of ammunition. In the first few weeks of 2025, CTD carried out 179 operations, capturing 72 militants and killing 10, including three key TTP commanders in Lakki Marwat.

The province has also approved 4,000 new positions for CTD, Elite Force, Special Branch, and FRP Units to strengthen law enforcement in newly merged districts.