ACROSS Pakistan, police officers — especially those involved in sensitive counterterrorism work — are at particular risk of falling to the assassin’s bullet.

This is especially true in Karachi, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the killings of men in uniform are nothing new.

Yet, these incidents, especially when they go unpunished, demoralise the force and embolden the militants.

Take a look: DSP gunned down in TTP-claimed attack in Peshawar

Many a fine officer has gone too soon, and on Wednesday another name was added to the growing list of policemen targeted by militants.

DSP Bahadur Khan, associated with the counterterrorism department of the Peshawar police, was shot early in the day and succumbed to his wounds, while his killers managed to flee.

As per reports, the banned TTP has claimed responsibility for the killing. On Tuesday, a police constable in Mingora was also killed; some media reports have suggested that the TTP may have had a hand in that crime as well.

The counterterrorism department is a relatively new addition to the Peshawar police structure and is said to be delivering strong results.

Over the past few months, a number of wanted men have been picked up by the department, and there were intelligence reports that militants would target the police. The murder of the DSP may well be a reaction by militants to proactive counterterrorism action.

While the military is confronting militants in the battlefield, the police have an equally difficult job when it comes to protecting urban spaces from the terrorist threat.

Therefore, the state needs to examine how it can improve security protocols to better protect police officers, especially those involved in counterterrorism work. Whether it is through providing them additional security, restricting their movements or through other tactical and operational procedures, police forces countrywide need to reassess ways to protect those on the front line of the fight against militancy.

In general, the police are a demoralised force. When active officers are easily targeted by militants, motivation levels drop even further, which is why security procedures for the men in uniform need to be reviewed.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2015

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