PESHAWAR:
In a startling development, it has come to light that terrorists in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have begun targeting police personnel with “the most advanced weapons” used by the United States during its operations in Afghanistan.
A few days ago, two police officers were shot at a checkpoint in Daraban Tehsil, Dera Ismail Khan, from several meters away using night vision goggles and thermal imaging weapons.
The attackers also took video of the officers being martyred in the attack using the latest equipment.
A senior security officer in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa confirmed the use of US weapons and thermal cannons in the attack, saying such weapons were used by NATO forces and American soldiers in Afghanistan.
The US completed the withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan in August 2021, nearly 20 years after invading the country following the September 11, 2001 attacks.
By the time the US left the country, most areas of Afghanistan were armed with modern weapons.
This ammunition is now being used in attacks on tribal areas, particularly on the police force in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
They are also deployed in the southern districts.
The improvised firearms used by the terrorists give them an advantage to attack police personnel from directions that would normally go unnoticed.
It will be extremely difficult for the police to arm themselves against the use of American weapons in the remote and mountainous terrain.
Another senior security official claimed mud-covered checkpoints in tribal regions including Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Tank and South Waziristan pose a serious security risk to police.
Currently, the police in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa are fighting the terrorists despite not having the resources to do so.
The provincial government needs to arm law enforcement agencies with the latest weapons to deal with the perpetrators with an iron fist.
Data obtained by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police Department shows that as law and order deteriorates in Afghanistan, the number of terrorist attacks in the province is increasing with an increase in attacks on law enforcement personnel.
From January to October this year, perpetrators carried out attacks in Peshawar, Malakand and other southern parts of the province, killing around 100 police officers on duty.
Police authorities noted that this year saw the highest number of law enforcement assaults and deaths compared to the previous three years.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police have warned the provincial government about the use of American weapons by the terrorists at the checkpoints, which they fear will be targeted in sensitive areas.
Meanwhile, a letter has also been sent out for the construction of more checkpoints and the immediate release of funds.
