FC to raise new unit to boost anti-terror efforts

PESHAWAR: Commandant of the Federal Constabulary, Muhammad Riaz Nazir Gara, has stated that 140 platoons of the force are continuously engaged in the fight against terrorism, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan Army.

He dismissed as baseless the claims that renaming the Frontier Constabulary as Federal Constabulary was an attempt to deprive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of its rights.

Speaking to Geo News, the commandant said the FC would continue to operate as it always had, and no decision had been made to abolish it.

“Rather, a new unit comprising 3,900 personnel is being formed to handle additional responsibilities. Recruitment for it will be based on equal representation from all provinces,” he elaborated.

The commandant said the FC has long operated under the federal Ministry of Interior.

“The reorganization aims to improve the command structure and enhance professionalism within the force. As a result, at least 300 new posts will be created, paving the way for promotions of constables and senior ranks,” he added.

He said the FC’s main security division, comprising 24,000 personnel, would remain intact.

“We are consistently contributing to the war against terrorism. The FC remains fully functional as before. Only one new unit is being added, which will always be ready to take on new tasks,” he emphasized.

The commandant noted that the FC also performs duties during cricket matches, elections, and Muharram processions.

“In the past, due to a shortage of personnel, security forces had to borrow manpower from other departments. The new unit aims to eliminate that dependence,” he added.

Highlighting the sacrifices of the force, he revealed that 434 FC personnel had been martyred and 790 injured in counter-terrorism operations.

“During the last three months of the previous year alone, the FC was targeted in 58 attacks, resulting in the martyrdom of 23 personnel,” he pointed out.

The commandant said that after being equipped with modern weaponry, the force had successfully minimized damage.

“In the past six months, 123 attacks took place, but an effective response led to the killing of six terrorists,” he added.