1961 policemen martyred in KP since 2007

PESHAWAR: Over 1961 cops have lost lives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since 2007 as attacks on police force has recorded an unprecedented increase during the war on terror.

Police are once again coming under attacks in the last couple of years, with 427 policemen falling to target killings, bomb and rocket attacks and ambushes since 2023.

“As many as 188 policemen lost lives in 2023 while another 163 were martyred in 2024. During the current year 76 policemen have lost lives in bomb attacks, target killings, encounters and other incidents till August 1,” an official said.

The figures are the worst in the last 15 years. Before that the years from 2007 till 2014 witnessed the highest number of police casualties.

As per the data compiled by the Central Police Office, 101 policemen were martyred in 2007, 172 in 2008, 210 in 2009, 108 in 2010, 154 in 2011, 106 in 2012 and 135 in 2013 and 111 in 2014.

The situation improved for a few years before attacks recorded an increase in 2021.

As many as 61 policemen were martyred in KP in 2015, 74 in 2016, 36 in 2017, 30 in 2018, 38 in 2019, 34 in 2020, 44 policemen lost lives in 2021 and 56 in 2022.

“A total of 2,330 police personnel have been martyred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the line of duty from 1970 to 2025, with 1961 of these deaths occurring after 2007,” spokesman for KP Police Shahzada Kokab Farooq said.

Among the martyred, the highest number 1,649 is that of constables, followed by 295 head constables, 148 assistant sub-inspectors, 157 sub-inspectors and 49 inspectors. The fallen heroes of the KP Police also included two additional Inspector generals, two deputy inspector generals, one senior superintendent of police, 6 SPs and 24 DSPs and acting SPs.