Countering unmanned aerial vehicles misuse: Police want anti-drone system for KP

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police have suggested to the government to purchase an anti-drone system as well as guns to counter any misuse of unmanned aerial vehicles by the terrorists in the future, it has been learnt.

Sources said that the Central Police Office had suggested to the government a couple of months back.The police chief informed the top government functionaries that Punjab had already purchased the system that was provided to the regions.

“This important issue has been taken up with the KP government in March, which is under consideration,” a senior official informed. Recently, there were reports that terrorists used drones to carry out attacks on public places in southern districts, including North Waziristan.

Also, several drones were shot down in the country after launched by India last month.Drones can also be used for various other functions by terrorists and criminals.“The government, as well as police, must be equipped with the latest system that can detect and shoot suspected drones,” said an official.

He added that Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed, during meetings with the chief minister, raised the issue of providing the latest technology to the police force, especially in southern districts, to counter attacks and pursue terrorists. Recently, special sniper commandos have been trained that will make teams for every district to shoot their targets.

Besides, more bulletproof vehicles and thermal imaging guns and scopes have been provided to the force in troubled districts. “Closed-circuit television cameras are being installed at hundreds of points in Peshawar and six other districts as part of the Safe City Project to keep a check on suspicious movement as well as to help improve monitoring and investigation,” explained an official.