DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has commenced the installation of high-resolution surveillance cameras in Dera Ismail Khan as part of the Safe City Project, aimed at modernising law enforcement and curbing terrorist activities in the region.

According to official sources, the project involves the installation of approximately 500 advanced CCTV cameras at 88 strategic locations across the city. While 350 cameras are already operational, an additional 450 are being integrated to ensure comprehensive, round-the-clock monitoring of key intersections and sensitive zones.

The initiative is part of a broader police development package for which the provincial government has allocated Rs2.25 billion. Beyond mere surveillance, the system is designed to utilise artificial intelligence for criminal identification and the tracking of suspicious vehicles through integration with police databases.

The infrastructure development includes the establishment of a state-of-the-art command and control centre, a traffic headquarters, and a police facilitation centre.

Furthermore, the project encompasses the reconstruction of seven police stations, including the city, cantonment, and Dera Town, which had fallen into disrepair.

The safe city rollout is not limited to Dera; similar surveillance networks are being established in the neighbouring Bannu and Lakki Marwat districts.

To support these technical measures, the provincial government has also approved the recruitment of 600 additional police personnel for Dera and 200 for Tank.

Local officials believe the integration of digital surveillance with traditional policing will prove vital in restoring public confidence and establishing a more effective counter-terrorism framework in the southern districts of the province.

Crane smuggling bid foiled

The wildlife department foiled an attempt to smuggle 20 rare cranes and arrested a suspect during a targeted operation in the Dera division, officials said.

The action was carried out on the directives of the Divisional Forest Officer (wildlife), Dera, Khan Malook Khan. A special team was constituted under the supervision of Sub-divisional Wildlife Officer Malik Saqib and Range Officer Ismatullah Khan.

Acting on a tip-off, the team conducted snap checking and intercepted an illegal consignment of cranes being transported from Balochistan to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The birds were taken into custody, while the suspect was arrested on the spot.

Officials said a case had been registered against the accused under the Wildlife and Biodiversity Act 2015.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2026