SWABI/MANSEHRA: As many as 495 recruits, including 229 elite force personnel, joined the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police force following passing-out parades held in Swabi and Mansehra districts on Saturday.

Additional IGP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Dr Naeem Khan, lawmakers, local government representatives, police and civil officers witnessed the passing-out parade of the 229 elite force personnel in Swabi.

On the occasion, Dr Naeem said the provincial police had rendered tremendous sacrifices against the militancy and were ready to continue the mission.

MPA Shiraz Khan, deputy IGP Mardan region Alam Khan Shinwari, Swabi Deputy Commissioner Mutasim Billah and district police officer Mohammad Sohaib Ashraf were among those in attendance. The IGP told the recruits that they should keep in mind the emerging challenges while stepping in the practical sphere.

Passing-out parades of recruits held in Swabi, Mansehra

The training centre’s principal, Muzamil Khan, said the elite force had been trained according to the security needs of the country and modern challenges.

In Mansehra, as many as 266 police recruits hailing from Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Karak, Tank, Lower and Upper Dir, Haripur, Mansehra and Abbottabad districts completed their training from the police training school to join the KP police.

“The sacrifices rendered by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police in flushing out terrorists from the province are matchless and will be remembered by the nation forever,” said chief minister’s adviser on higher education Mushtaq Ghani, while speaking at the 34th passing-out parade as the chief guest.

“Our police have been trained to deal with any sort of subversive activities,” he said, adding that acknowledging their sacrifices and high calibre the Punjab police had also been sending their personnel for training in KP.

DIG Hazara Saeed Wazir, Mansehra District Nazim Sardar Said Ghulam and DPO Ahsan Saifullah were also in attendance.

“The nation is proud of KP police and you should be proud of joining this gallant force which faced terrorists with extreme bravery and dedication,” Mr Ghani said, pointing to freshly-inducted police recruits, who presented guard of honour to him.

The CM’s adviser said PTI-led provincial government in pursuance of the vision of party chairman Imran Khan had made legislation to free police department of political influence.

“We have trained the recruits to deal with any situation in view of the current wave of terrorism and militancy in the country,” Tariq Iqbal, the police training school’s principal, said.

He said for the first time recruits were also imparted training in martial arts and swimming.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2017