LAKKI MARWAT/BANNU: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Salahuddin Mehsud has said that police force showed gallantry in fighting against terrorism during the last one decade.

Speaking at a police Darbar, gathering of elders from Lakki Marwat and Bannu on Thursday, he said that around 1,500 officers and cops of the department sacrificed their lives to eliminate terrorists.

Regional Police Officer Dar Ali Khattak also spoke on the occasion. Lakki Marwat DPO Syed Khalid Hamdani, Bannu DPO Sadiq Baloch and other police officers were also in the attendance.

The IGP said that police arrested over 1,200 terrorists during the last two and half years and destroyed their safe havens. “Now terrorists have no sanctuary or hideout anywhere in the province. Terrorism-related incidents have been reduced to 80 per cent,” he added.

He said that sacrifices rendered by police in fight against terrorism had been acknowledged and appreciated internationally. “We have eliminated the hideouts of terrorists on our own soil but we cannot ignore external threats,” he added.

Mr Mehsud said that they focused on training of police personnel to enhance their capacity. He said that police were prepared to cope with any eventuality or threat. He said that police officers were directed to keep the doors of their offices open for people and address their genuine grievances.

The IGP said that over 700 policemen including officers were punished for wrongdoings during the last over two and half years. He said that police were made answerable to people and their representatives to keep a check on their performance.

Mr Mehsud said that police had no political affiliations. “It is the force of people and it would serve people without any discrimination,” he said. He added that liaison among local elders, police and administration would help to eradicate crimes.

He said that under the new system, district police chief would present police plan and performance of the force in district council twice a year. “The chairman of district public safety commission or his nominated member can visit police stations on information about illegal detention of citizens,” he added.

The IGP asked people to approach dispute resolution councils for settlement of disputes instead of spending time and resources on visiting police stations and litigation.

He urged the elders to cooperate with police to maintain sustainable peace and eliminate crimes.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2017