Capital city police tighten security with drones, facial recognition and anti-drone systems
Haqnawaz shinwari
PESHAWAR
PESHAWAR: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Hameed on Wednesday said comprehensive security arrangements had been put in place for Muharram-ul-Haram, with the police deploying modern surveillance technology, drone monitoring and anti-drone systems to ensure the safety of religious processions and gatherings across the province.
The IGP made the remarks during a visit to the Safe City Command and Control Centre at Police Lines, Peshawar, where he reviewed security arrangements for Muharram. Additional Inspector General (Operations), the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Peshawar, DIG Operations, DIG IT, the Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Peshawar and other senior police officials were present.
Officials briefed the IGP on the province-wide security plan, including monitoring of sensitive processions and majalis, the Safe City camera network, emergency response mechanisms and coordination with field formations.
The briefing revealed that the entire city was being monitored through the Safe City surveillance system. Police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) were using modern technology for the identification and tracking of wanted suspects. Around 80 police personnel had been equipped with body cameras, while live monitoring systems had been installed in more than 30 patrol vehicles.
Officials said thermal imaging cameras had also been deployed to monitor sensitive locations at night. In addition to 347 cameras dedicated to monitoring Muharram processions and gatherings, another 167 surveillance cameras were operating continuously across the city.
The Safe City headquarters in Peshawar is also directly monitoring the security situation in Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Mardan, Hangu, Lakki Marwat and Tank.
The IGP inspected the command centre’s live monitoring system, video wall, emergency call response mechanism and operational procedures. He directed officers to ensure round-the-clock surveillance of all sensitive locations, imambargahs, processions and religious gatherings, and to respond immediately to any suspicious activity or security threat.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Hameed said all key routes and sensitive districts were being monitored through the Safe City project using number plate recognition, facial recognition and thermal imaging cameras.
He said the Safe City Control Room would remain fully operational throughout Muharram to monitor the security situation across the province.
The IGP said security arrangements had been finalised in 14 districts, six of which had been declared highly sensitive. Frontier Corps personnel would be deployed alongside police, while drone surveillance would be conducted in sensitive districts. Anti-drone systems had also been incorporated into the security plan in view of the increasing use of quadcopter drones.
He said the police remained on high alert due to prevailing security challenges and would respond promptly to any potential threat. He added that Safe City infrastructure and other modern policing technologies were being further strengthened to safeguard lives and property.
The IGP reiterated that the KP Police was utilising all available resources to ensure peaceful observance of Muharram, protect religious freedom and maintain law and order.
Earlier, Mr Hameed chaired a video-link meeting with all regional police officers (RPOs) to review Muharram security arrangements across the province. Additional IG Operations, the CCPO Peshawar, DIG Operations and AIG Operations attended the meeting, while RPOs joined virtually.
The meeting reviewed security plans for sensitive districts, imambargahs, majalis, processions, intelligence assessments, search and strike operations, surveillance of Schedule IV individuals, social media monitoring and the use of Safe City technology.
Directing officers to maintain the highest level of vigilance, the IGP said protecting the lives and property of citizens during Muharram was the foremost responsibility of the police. He ordered all district control rooms to remain fully operational and instructed quick response forces to stay prepared to deal with any emergency. He also directed all RPOs to ensure that security arrangements were implemented in letter and spirit.
