PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police department has claimed a ‘significant’ decrease in the incidents of extortion, targeted killing and kidnapping for ransom across the province during the last 10 months.

It also insisted that kidnapping for ransom had been eliminated from the province, said a statement issued here on Monday.

The statement said inspector general of police Dr Sanaullah Abbasi was briefed about the law and order situation in the province during a meeting, where all regional police officers were in attendance.

It said the incidents of extortion had dropped by 26 per cent, those of kidnapping for ransom by 100 per cent and those of target killing by 26 per cent.

Insist extortion, targeted killing incidence drop in 10 months

The statement said the police had seized 19068.55kg drugs during the last 10 months, including 16,934kg charas, 1044.16kg opium, 895.66kg heroin, 194.64kg ice and 35,248 liquor bottles.

It also revealed the recovery of illegal arms and ammunition, including 1,845 rifles, 5,562 shotguns, 31,132 pistols, 125,3979 rounds, 2,583 Kalashnikovs, 420 kalakoves, 182 hand grenades, four Sten guns, one pashpasha, five rocket launchers, 1,957 detonators, 1,032 dynamites, and four bombs.

According to the statement, under the National Action Plan, 10,884 search and strike operations were conducted against criminals leading to the arrest of 48,255 outlaws and recovery of 18,212 arms and 410,248 rounds from them.

Also, 190,672 houses and 66,169 hotels were checked, while 8,335 and 1,011 FIRs were registered against house owners and hotel owners over the violation of the law.

Likewise, the police carried out snap checking at 65,349 points, held 59,862 suspects and seized 11,720 arms and 280,148 rounds.

Also, 61 illegal Afghan nationals were detained for not having legal documents and 51 cases were registered against them under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act.

The police chief ordered a crackdown on those creating hurdles to the law and order and ensuring the protection of public life, honour and property at all costs.

He expressed satisfaction with the police’s performance in the last 10 months and said peaceful society was his top priority.

Dr Sanaullah asked the police to keep a vigil on anti-state elements through proactive and professional policing and come hard on those taking law into their own hands without discrimination.

He directed the police to ensure prompt dispensation of justice to the needy people and win hearts and minds of the public through the ‘Awami Policing’.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2020