MANSEHRA: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Khan on Friday said the police force was in the forefront of the fight against terrorism, killing over 130 militants during the ongoing year so far.

“Our gallant force has so far killed 130 terrorists mostly in the southern parts of the province this year,” he said while speaking to reporters after attending the passing out parade at the Police Training School here as the chief guest.

Hazara DIG Tahir Ayub and Mansehra district police officer Shafiullah Khan Gandapur were also present.

IGP Hayat parried a question regarding the proposed operation Azm-i-Istehkam and said that the KP police force had rendered great sacrifices during the war against terrorism and militancy to protect people’s lives.

“Our war is still on. Our 71 officers and policeman have laid their lives in the line of duty so far this year,” Mr Hayat said.

The IGP claimed that the police and their Counter-Terrorism Department in joint intelligence-based operations had arrested over 400 hardcore militants.

“We have been following the legacy of our predecessors in our war against terrorism,” he said.

The IGP said the police had neutralised terrorist organisations and as he talked his force was engaged in anti-terrorism operations in Kohistan’s Harban Basha area and Dera Ismail Khan.

Earlier, speaking at a ceremony on the occasion of the passing out parade, the IGP said that recruits were being physically and mentally trained to meet the contemporary challenges.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2024