THE ongoing wave of terrorism in the country has resulted in an unacceptably high number of casualties amongst security men, both police officers and military personnel. Despite the courage of security men, terrorists have often exacted a heavy human toll by adapting and altering their tactics on the battlefield. But now, a new unit launched by KP Police seems to be turning the tide by using technology to trace and neutralise terrorists before they can strike. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Division has been successful in lowering the threat level. Terrorist groups had been using drones, specifically quadcopters, to monitor security personnel and drop explosives. Police officials say that terrorist groups had seized modern equipment left behind by exiting Nato forces in Afghanistan, while hostile foreign actors were also said to be providing drone technology to violent elements. While the law enforcers had used anti-drone systems previously, a dedicated unit has had a visible effect on reducing terrorist attacks, and keeping tabs on terrorists in KP’s affected areas.

Police forces in other provinces, particularly Balochistan, which also suffers from a terrorist insurgency, should consider deploying similar units. For long, experts have said that police forces, which are on the front line of the battle against terrorists, must be given the requisite equipment and training to fight violent groups, and stay one step ahead of them. The UAV Division is one example of how the state can deploy the latest technological advances to quell the militant threat, and prevent casualties within the security forces by pre-empting the terrorists. As the KP police chief told this paper, there is “no other option … but technological advancement” to defeat terrorism. When terrorists use the latest technology, the state cannot expect to have the upper hand by using equipment and tactics that are decades-old, and suited to a very different battlespace.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2026