K-P boosts police with advanced arsenal

CM Afridi hands over bulletproof vehicles, weapons, and high-tech surveillance gear

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi visited Peshawar Police Lines on Monday to formally hand over newly procured bulletproof vehicles, advanced weapons, and state-of-the-art security equipment to the provincial police force.

Police received drone cameras, anti-drone guns and systems, thermal cameras, jammers, bulletproof jackets, ballistic helmets, armored vehicles, sniper rifles, Dragunov rifles, M16s, submachine guns, heavy machine guns, and other modern security tools.

A briefing highlighted that thermal weapon sights and binoculars would enhance night surveillance, while armored vehicles and side-armoring would improve the safety of police movements.

Addressing the ceremony, Chief Minister Afridi lauded the K-P Police, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), and Special Branch for their steadfast role against terrorism and their resilience in facing current security challenges.

He described the police as a young and energetic force that operates alongside other frontline security units.

"The provincial government is committed to making our police an invincible force and will continue to provide them with additional weapons and facilities to meet evolving security challenges," the CM said. He further noted that K-P's police and security forces have made unparalleled sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. Referring to the province's 80,000 martyrs, he emphasized that thousands of these were police and security personnel whose efforts helped maintain peace from 2018 to 2022, although unrest returned after 2022.

Afridi assured that law and order would be fully restored and maintained across the province. Earlier, he paid tribute at the Martyrs' Memorial, where a salute was rendered by a well-ordered police contingent upon his arrival at Police Lines. The Chief Minister also conducted a detailed inspection of the handed-over security equipment and bulletproof vehicles.