KP police get tech to monitor counterterrorism operations

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police have enhanced their security and surveillance capabilities by integrating anti-drone systems and surveillance drones into the Safe City Peshawar’s Command and Control Centre. This integration enables live video and surveillance feeds from police drones to be monitored at the central command, even during field operations against terrorists.

DIG Ijaz Ahmad revealed that hostile quadcopters and drones would be promptly detected and neutralised through this new system. He addressed a news conference at the Command and Control Centre, announcing that anti-drone systems installed in Peshawar and other cities were linked to the central system, allowing for live monitoring of police operations across the province.

The DIG emphasized that the modern anti-drone systems had been deployed in various districts to counter evolving security threats. Additionally, anti-drone guns were provided to police personnel in remote and sensitive areas. The objective is to enhance the police’s ability to detect and neutralise potential threats posed by hostile quadcopters and drones.

However, the DIG acknowledged that the lack of internet connectivity in some areas posed a challenge, and steps were being taken in collaboration with Suparco to address the issue. The integration of technology, drone surveillance, anti-drone systems, and centralised monitoring will further strengthen the police’s operational capabilities, security surveillance, and response to militant threats.

KP police have also established a specialized human resource division trained in UAV combat, responding to the terrorists’ shift from conventional street fighting to aerial warfare. This first-of-its-kind division in the country is equipped to operate drones for surveillance and conduct electronic warfare against hostile UAVs.