K-P to launch drone unit to counter terror

New police unit will be set up in Nowshera

PESHAWAR:

In a major step toward modernising law-enforcement and countering emerging security threats, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police have announced plans to establish Pakistan's first drone technology unit.

The initiative aims to equip the force with advanced tools to detect, neutralise, and respond to drone-based attacks, particularly those orchestrated by terrorists in volatile districts such as Waziristan, Bannu, and Lakki Marwat.

The new unit will be set up at the Nowshera Police Training Centre, officials said, with initial groundwork already under way. A special team of IT experts has been assigned to oversee its development, while personnel are receiving specialised training in drone operations.

Advanced IT courses for the first batch of recruits have already commenced. According to police sources, the unit will be outfitted with state-of-the-art drone technologies, including anti-drone systems, surveillance drones, operational drones, jamming drones, target drones, and attack drones.

These systems are expected to significantly enhance the police's capacity to monitor drone activity, counter drone-based terrorist operations, and address other aerial threats. "Be it drone cameras or attacks by terrorists using drones, our new capabilities will allow us to respond effectively," a senior police official said.

The move follows a series of successful drone technology trials conducted by the force last month. Officials noted that several attacks by terrorist groups in the southern districts of the province were detected and thwarted in advance thanks to these efforts.

Once the training phase is complete, the drone unit teams will be deployed across various districts of the province to strengthen security operations and integrate modern aerial surveillance into routine policing.

In addition to the specialised drone teams, police and Elite Force personnel will also receive training to operate the anti-drone systems, ensuring a wider operational capability.

The decision to establish the unit comes in response to the increasing use of drones by terrorists in regions affected by insurgency. Officials emphasised that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernise the force and adopt cutting-edge technology to safeguard communities.

"This new unit will not only help neutralise aerial threats but also provide our personnel with vital training in the latest drone technologies, which is crucial for counterterrorism and proactive policing in the province," the official added.

The launch of Pakistan's first drone technology unit marks a significant milestone in the country's efforts to integrate high-tech solutions into law-enforcement and counterterrorism operations, potentially setting a precedent for other provinces to follow.