Peshawar — The inside story behind the federal government’s decision to provide bulletproof vehicles to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Police has now come to light, revealing how growing security threats to senior officers prompted an urgent request for enhanced protection.

According to official sources, the decision to allocate these vehicles was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, where officials from the Frontier Constabulary (FC) and KP Police briefed the minister about the deteriorating security situation in the province. During the meeting, the participants highlighted the serious threats faced by senior law enforcement officers, particularly in the southern districts, which have witnessed a resurgence of militant activity in recent months.

Sources disclosed that the demand for bulletproof vehicles originated from both the KP Police and the FC, who emphasized that officers often have to travel through high-risk zones without adequate security measures. These vulnerabilities, they argued, leave them exposed to potential ambushes and targeted attacks by militant groups.

The meeting’s participants detailed the specific security challenges in Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, and Bannu, where incidents of terrorism, extortion, and armed assaults have been on the rise. In response, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reportedly acknowledged the severity of the situation and assured the immediate provision of bulletproof vehicles to both police and paramilitary forces.

Under the arrangement approved in the meeting, the KP Police were allocated three bulletproof vehicles, while the Federal Constabulary was granted two vehicles for deployment in the most sensitive regions. Additionally, the FC requested a total of ten bulletproof vehicles for broader operational use across the southern belt — a demand that the Interior Ministry said it would consider in the next phase of equipment distribution.

Sources close to the matter revealed that Minister Naqvi personally instructed the Interior Ministry’s logistics and procurement wing to fast-track the process, stressing that “the safety of officers on the frontline must be ensured under all circumstances.” The minister reportedly directed officials to ensure that the vehicles meet international safety standards and are delivered without bureaucratic delays.

The decision follows months of escalating security concerns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where police and paramilitary forces have faced frequent targeted attacks, roadside bombings, and ambushes during counterterrorism operations. In several instances, senior officers were attacked while traveling without armored protection, prompting renewed calls from within the force for government intervention.

Police officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the vehicles would be prioritized for regional police chiefs and counterterrorism units operating in high-threat districts. “These vehicles are not a luxury; they are a necessity for officers risking their lives daily,” one official stated, adding that the availability of bulletproof transport would “greatly improve morale and operational confidence.”

Insiders also revealed that the discussion during the meeting extended beyond vehicles, touching on broader issues of security resource gaps, equipment shortages, and coordination challenges between provincial and federal agencies. The Interior Minister reportedly assured participants that the federal government was committed to supporting KP’s security apparatus and would soon announce additional measures for capacity building, including advanced protective gear and communication systems.