Police in KP’s three divisional HQs get anti-drone guns

PESHAWAR: Police have been provided with anti-drone guns in three divisional headquarters of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while 70 quadcopters are to be handed over to districts and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) for surveillance and other operations.

Peshawar, Bannu, and Bajaur have received anti-drone guns capable of targeting quadcopters launched by terrorists. More such guns, along with complete anti-drone systems, will be provided to other districts in the coming days.

“We are also set to provide around 70 drones to the force across all districts as well as to the CTD. These drones will be used for surveillance, clearance, and other operations,” Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed told The News.

He said drone attacks in Bannu and Bajaur had almost stopped after the force was equipped with these guns.Drones have already been provided to seven districts - Peshawar, Hangu, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, and Bajaur - for surveillance, intelligence gathering, search, rescue, and operational coordination.

The anti-drone system will also be deployed for the security of high-profile sites, events, and individuals. It can detect and disable quadcopters from a long distance and even take control of them for a forced landing at a designated location.

The KP Police had recently proposed purchasing a complete anti-drone system similar to that of Punjab to counter potential attacks using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).A few recent terrorism incidents involving drones were reported in Bannu and Bajaur. In Bannu, Miryan Police Station and several other sites came under repeated quadcopter attacks, resulting in casualties and damage.

Until a few months ago, the KP government and police lacked any anti-drone capability to detect or neutralize UAVs.An official said the KP Police had taken up the issue with the provincial government, requesting the purchase of anti-drone systems and guns to counter the misuse of UAVs by terrorists.

The government was informed that Punjab had already acquired such systems for its regions, even though the threat level there was not as high as in KP.In addition to the anti-drone system, police in KP - particularly in the southern districts - have been provided with more sophisticated equipment to counter terrorist attacks and dismantle their networks.

An official said more bulletproof vehicles, thermal imaging guns, and scopes have been issued to forces in the troubled districts.The KP Police are also in the process of making 105 vehicles bulletproof to meet operational requirements in high-risk areas and protect personnel from attacks.

According to an official, 75 bulletproof vehicles have already been handed over to the force, while more jeeps and single- and double-cabin pickups are being armoured.Additionally, sniper rifles have been issued to five districts - Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Dera Ismail Khan - for sensitive operations and high-risk missions.