Taimur Khan

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has been criticized for politicizing the crucial issue of providing bulletproof vehicles instead of focusing on improving law and order and ensuring the safety of police officers. Due to a severe shortage of bulletproof vehicles in Hangu district, SP Operations Asad Zubair was martyred. Officials said the district requires at least 12 bulletproof vehicles, but currently, only one is available.

According to police data, four personnel, including SP Operations Asad Zubair, have been martyred in terrorist attacks in Hangu so far this year, while five others, including District Police Officer (DPO) Khalid Khan, have been injured.

Hangu, one of the districts most affected by terrorism, has posts for one DPO, three SPs, and four DSPs. The district has five police stations, and each station needs at least one bulletproof vehicle. In addition, the DPO, three SPs, and four DSPs also require such vehicles for safety. However, at present, only the DPO has access to one bulletproof vehicle.

According to Hangu Police spokesperson Saqib, the rear portions of vehicles at police stations have been fitted with bulletproof plates, but the sides and front windshields are not bulletproof.

He added that on July 19 this year, DPO Muhammad Khalid and three officers were injured during an intelligence-based operation, while another two personnel were injured in an attack on October 24.

Former Home Secretary and Additional IG Syed Akhtar Ali Shah said the police need not only bulletproof but also bomb-proof vehicles, especially in districts heavily affected by terrorism. He emphasized that the police are fighting on the front lines against terrorism but lack essential resources.

Meanwhile, the issue of terrorism and police safety has also become politicized. The provincial government reportedly refused to accept three bulletproof vehicles donated by the federal government, while the few vehicles currently available in the province are outdated and were also provided as donations in the past.

A transport expert from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it took eight months just to install bulletproof glass in one vehicle. He added that fully bullet-proofing a vehicle can take eight to ten months because local companies lack the necessary materials and have to import them from abroad.