PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi on Monday handed over the newly-purchased bulletproof vehicles, modern weapons and security gadgets to police at an event at the Malik Saad Shaheed Police Lines here.

The equipment includes drone cameras, anti-drone guns, anti-drone systems, thermal cameras, jammers, bulletproof jackets, ballistic helmets, armoured vehicles, sniper rifles, Dragunov rifles, M-16s, sub-machine guns, heavy machine guns, and various other advanced security tools, according to a statement issued here.

On the occasion, the chief minister was informed that thermal cameras and thermal binoculars would significantly improve night surveillance, while bulletproof vehicles and side-armouring would further enhance the safety and mobility of police personnel.

Mr Afridi paid tribute to the KP police, the Counter Terrorism Department and the Special Branch for their effective role in combating terrorism and confronting the current security challenges with unwavering resolve and bravery.

He said the morale of the police remained high, and the force continued to serve as a front-line component alongside security forces.

He stated that the provincial government was making all-out efforts to transform the police into an invincible force and that further weapons and facilities would also be provided to enable the force to effectively deal with the current security situation.

Mr Afridi said that the KP police and security forces had rendered unparalleled sacrifices in the war against terrorism. He added that when the figure of 80,000 martyrs was mentioned; thousands among them belonged to the police and the security forces, whose sacrifices led to the restoration of peace in the province from 2018 to 2022.

However, he noted that the security situation began to deteriorate again after 2022.

The chief minister affirmed that peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be restored and maintained at all costs.

Earlier, he laid a floral wreath at the Martyrs’ Monument, and upon his arrival at the police lines, a contingent of police presented him a guard of honour.

During the visit, the chief minister also inspected the newly-handed-over security gadgets and bulletproof vehicles.

Chief secretary Shahab Ali Shah, Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed, and other senior police officers were also in attendance.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2025