KP Police Launch UAV Division as Drone Threat Reshapes Terror Fight

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police have established a specialised Unmanned Aerial Vehicle division as security forces adapt to the growing use of drones by militant groups for surveillance, explosive delivery and coordinated attacks. The initiative marks a significant shift in provincial counterterrorism strategy, expanding the police response from handheld jammers and anti-drone equipment to dedicated personnel trained for aerial operations.

Officials say militant tactics have evolved rapidly over the past two years, with quadcopters increasingly being used to monitor police installations and identify vulnerabilities before attacks. This aerial reconnaissance can allow attackers to assess law-enforcement positions and avoid ambushes, forcing police to develop capabilities that extend beyond conventional ground-based security operations.

The new UAV division has been trained in drone flying, aerial surveillance, intelligence collection, counterterrorism operations and protection of sensitive installations. Personnel are also expected to develop electronic-warfare capabilities against hostile unmanned aircraft. Authorities describe the division as the first specialised police formation of its kind in Pakistan, reflecting the growing importance of drone technology in internal security operations.

Police initially responded to the emerging threat by deploying handheld anti-drone guns capable of disrupting individual hostile aircraft. Officials said militant groups then adapted by using multiple drones simultaneously, creating a swarm-style challenge that reduced the effectiveness of single-target systems. The department subsequently invested in equipment capable of detecting and jamming several quadcopters at the same time.

Authorities say the deployment of upgraded anti-drone systems across several areas has contributed to a sharp decline in quadcopter attacks. The province is now moving beyond defensive technology by creating trained UAV teams that can operate their own drones for reconnaissance and operational support. A Peshawar-based data centre is also planned to receive real-time information on drone activity and help coordinate responses among law-enforcement units.

KP police chief Zulfiqar Hameed said the changing threat environment required both improved equipment and specially trained operators. Similar UAV units have been approved for district-level deployment, initially focusing on areas considered at greater security risk. The Counter Terrorism Department and regular police are also expected to receive more advanced, longer-range drones capable of operating at greater altitude than existing models.

Senior security officials have also alleged that militant organisations receive financial, technical and logistical assistance from outside Pakistan. They claim that sophisticated surveillance systems and explosive-carrying drone capabilities require resources and training beyond what many local groups previously possessed. Such assertions remain part of the authorities' wider assessment of the security threat and underline their argument for accelerating technological upgrades.

The development could significantly change counterterrorism operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in southern districts such as Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, Tank and Bannu, where militant violence has remained a major challenge. Police officials say advanced surveillance and faster identification of hostile movements are allowing security teams to target threats before they reach intended locations. The next phase will involve expanding specialised UAV units, strengthening real-time coordination and deploying more capable drones as authorities seek to prevent militant groups from gaining a technological advantage.