Summary Security reports reveal a 195% rise in KP terrorism incidents over two years, citing drone attacks, police shortages and gaps in counterterrorism capacity.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) — Terrorism incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa increased by 195 percent over the past two years, according to two special security reports presented by KP Police and intelligence agencies at a meeting chaired by the prime minister.
The reports highlighted a sharp rise in terrorist attacks, describing the persistent increase as a serious and alarming challenge to the province’s security situation.
According to the intelligence reports, threats have intensified due to the presence of terrorist elements in Afghanistan, local facilitators, and what the report described as flawed provincial government policies and a soft approach towards terrorists.
The reports further stated that inadequate preparedness, insufficient attention and gaps in effective counterterrorism measures at the provincial level had allowed terrorist elements to establish a foothold.
Between March 1, 2024, and September 23, 2026, terrorism incidents in KP increased by 195 percent. The reports also identified links between terrorist networks, local facilitation and illegal activities as a serious security challenge.
According to the reports, police and security agencies were targeted in 73 percent of terrorist attacks recorded in 2026. The use of drones by terrorists in the province also increased significantly.
No drone attacks on police and security agencies were reported in 2024, while the number of terrorist drone attacks reached 170 in 2026. The reports cited an increase of approximately 107 percent in such attacks over one year.
A worrying rise in improvised explosive device (IED) attacks was also recorded. The number of IED attacks rose to 181 in 2025, while 159 incidents had been reported by September 2026.
The reports stressed the need to strengthen the capabilities of police and law enforcement agencies to counter evolving terrorist tactics.
They noted that the Safe City project remained limited to Peshawar, despite the growing security challenges across the province.
More than 9,000 posts in the KP Police remain vacant, while police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) face significant shortages of modern weapons and essential operational equipment.
The reports also highlighted a lack of armoured and secure vehicles in the southern districts most affected by terrorism, saying the shortage had undermined police mobility and operational capabilities.
Police and the CTD were also facing shortages of modern surveillance and intelligence equipment, including night-vision and thermal-imaging devices. Police in the merged districts were reported to be short of the necessary training, resources and operational capacity.
The CTD, despite being a specialised counterterrorism force, was facing a serious shortage of specially trained personnel and continued to rely on regular police for manpower.
The reports further noted that the CTD’s district offices, operational facilities and specialised infrastructure were inadequate for its requirements, stressing the urgent need for dedicated, modern and stronger infrastructure to address growing terrorist threats.
The cabinet committee expressed serious concern over rising terrorism, institutional weaknesses and governance issues in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The reports also reviewed shortcomings in the capacity of security agencies, provincial preparedness and counterterrorism measures, along with the factors behind the deteriorating law and order situation and the responsibilities of the relevant authorities.
