Crackdown launched on armed groups in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: Police have launched a crackdown on groups and individuals brandishing automatic weapons to spread terror in public, and a letter for the revocation of arms licenses of 320 people has been sent in the first stage.

Another list of over 600 people is in the final stage and will be sent for cancellation of arms licenses in a couple of days.The two lists include names of some of the top armed group members spreading terror in society.

The Peshawar Police have sent a letter to the relevant authorities to cancel the licenses of these individuals, who are involved in multiple FIRs and pose a threat to law and order in Peshawar.

“We have sent the first list of 320 individuals to the deputy commissioner to initiate the cancellation of weapon licenses for those who are either nominated in or charged with multiple FIRs across various police stations in Peshawar,” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Masood Ahmad Bangash told The News.

He added that the list of over 600 others, nominated in murder and other cases, is also being sent to the concerned department for cancellation of their arms licenses in the coming days.The official said a crackdown was underway against the armed groups and individuals who spread terror in society. He said that many of them were arrested in recent days, while more raids are being conducted.

Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed last week directed the Peshawar Police to take action against all armed groups, including those with political backing, that were spreading terror in society by roaming with several guards. Many of them are also involved in land grabbing and other crimes, terrorising commoners with escorts of armed guards.

In a letter addressed to the deputy commissioner, the SSP Operations stated that many of these individuals continued to possess valid weapon licenses despite being involved in criminal cases, brandishing weapons, and terrorising the public. The move is aimed at safeguarding public security and maintaining law and order.

The letter emphasized the urgency of revoking weapon licenses of those nominated in or charged with one or more FIRs, or in possession of licensed weapons that may pose a threat to public peace.

According to the first list provided to the DC, the individuals reside within the jurisdiction of 26 different police stations across Peshawar. The highest number of license holders facing cancellation are from Chamkani (51), Regi (42), and Rahman Baba (24) police stations.

The number of such individuals in other police stations included: Gulberg (10), West Cantt (2), Tehkal (18), Mathra (6), Pishtakhara (13), Hayatabad (3), Rehman Baba (24), Michni

Gate (9), University Town (10), Shahpur (16), Sarband (7), and Khazana (16).

Details of individuals from other areas were also included: Urmar (14), Hashtnagri (3), Badaber (4), Regi (42), Inqilab (13), Nasir Bagh (7), Mattani (3), Chamkani (51), Yakatoot (6), Daudzai (5), Paharipura (2), Bhanamari (16), Faqirabad (11), and Phandu (9). These details have been forwarded to the district administration for cancellation of arms licenses.

Copies of FIRs and CNICs of the 320 individuals have also been attached to the letter for immediate action.In the second phase, a list of over 600 people associated with armed groups - involved in murders, land grabbing, brandishing weapons in public, and other crimes - is being prepared for cancellation of their licenses.

Media reports recently noted that Peshawar has witnessed the deaths of around 300 people this year in various blood feuds, armed rivalries, and other incidents, raising concerns among the public and police high-ups about the misuse of licensed and unlicensed weapons.