THE geo-strategic location of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the merger of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Frontier Regions, the return of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (former Taliban) in Afghanistan, and the existence of various militant groups, especially Indian-sponsored Fitn-e-Khawarij or Fitna-tul-Hindustan (former Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan), have made the province more vulnerable and turned it into a security province. The restoration of peace is a costly state affair. In normalcy, maintenance of law and order is the sole responsibility of the police. However, the current security milieu needs a holistic security approach by engaging the general public as well to cope with criminal activities and terrorism. The defence forces and intelligence agencies, due to such extraordinary security and existential threats, have also been engaged on borders and in various parts of KP, wherein terrorists have established their strong footholds.
Recently, several gruesome incidents in different parts of KP have created a mournful atmosphere. On Feb 16, 2026, a powerful explosion near Miryan Police Station, Bannu, killed two people and injured 17 others. On July 15, militants blew up a bridge leading to the police station to obstruct reinforcements and attempted to ram an explosives-laden vehicle into the station. The attack martyred one police personnel and injured six security personnel and four civilians. Police foiled the attack and engaged the militants, who escaped under the cover of darkness. Similarly, a suicide attack on former Tehsil Nazim Fida Wazir in Domel and frequent militant activity around Bannu prompted security forces, in coordination with Bannu Police, to launch intelligence-based operations in Bakakhel, Janikhel, Miryan, Sarra Dargah and Wazir sub-division to dismantle terrorist infrastructure.
These operations were led by Pakistan Army, Bannu Police, Counter Terrorism Department, intelligence agencies, civil administration, and Village Defence Committees (VDCs) operating with a common purpose in Bannu. Worthy to mention that for the last one year, joint security actions by Law Enforcement Agencies in Bannu (Pakistan Army, Bannu Police, Counter Terrorism Department, intelligence agencies, civil administration) resulted in the neutralisation of over 200 Khawarij (bodies recovered and video evidence available), including ring leaders like Maulvi Nusrat, Danish Insaf, Waheed Ullah Mukhtar and Abdullah Saeed (Afghan national), involved in the shahadat of AC Miranshah, Lt Col Gulfaraz and many other heinous crimes against the local population. During an unplanned/hasty operation by the Police Aman Committee in the Akhundan area of Bannu, members of the Police Aman Committee got stuck and presented a concentrated target to Khawarij. Army, Police and CTD jointly not only conducted the rescue operation but also neutralised multiple Khawarij. On Manji Khel, District Tank, on July 23, 2026, militants rammed an explosives-laden vehicle (VBIED) into the security checkpoint, which resulted in the martyrdom of 15 personnel—including 12 military soldiers, two policemen, and a forest official. They gallantly fought with the militants and exchanged fire with them. The first week of August 2026 has also proved a bleeding month. On August 2, 2026, a heart-wrenching terrorist incident took place when a suicide bomber blew himself up near Kabal Police Station, Swat, which claimed the lives of 14 people and caused injuries to 18 others.
On August 5, 2026, Yum-e-Shuhada was commemorated across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa so as to pay tribute to our martyrs and also show solidarity with their families. Significant to mention that the General Officer Commanders of various Divisions, Brigade Commanders of various Brigades under the charismatic leadership and professional experience of Corps Commander 11 Corps Peshawar, Lt General Syed Umer Ahmad Bukhari, and Regional Police Officers and District Police Officers under the leadership of Inspector General Police KP, Mr Zulfiqar Hameed, and Additional IG Mr Muhammad Ali Baba Khel, are relentlessly engaged to restore peace to their people. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police, compared to police in other provinces, are highly experienced and professional in countering militancy and terrorism because their province remained at the forefront in countering terrorism in addition to other routine offences. Both commanders helped to modernize KP Police and also to equip it with modern sophisticated weapons so as to counter the highly equipped militants. The sacrifices of our security forces personnel and their families for bringing peace and security to their land and people are unforgettable and highly commendable. Every Pakistani owes to them for their safety and security. They have paid a huge cost to this soil and its people. However, the need of the hour is that every citizen of Pakistan must stand with their security forces and intelligence agencies in this war against sedition. It is their constitutional duty to demonstrate loyalty to Pakistan. Our mission must be “One Nation and One Country”. In this way, we as Pakistanis can defeat the internal and external seditious elements and enemies of Pakistan.
—The writer is Chairman & Security Expert, Department of Political Science, Islamia College Peshawar.
