Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has officially approved the establishment of the Special Branch as a fully independent unit within the provincial police force. The major administrative decision was taken during a high-level meeting held in Peshawar on Sunday. The new structure aims to strengthen intelligence capabilities and improve the province’s overall security response.
Special Branch to Receive New Posts and Modern Resources
During the meeting, officials briefed the chief minister on the current duties of the Special Branch. The unit is responsible for intelligence gathering, security assessments, verification tasks, and conducting critical field surveys. They noted that 308 personnel from the merged districts have already been integrated into the branch, helping reinforce operations across sensitive areas.
In 2025, the Special Branch successfully neutralized multiple suicide jackets, improvised explosive devices, and hand grenades. These actions played a key role in preventing major terror incidents. To further enhance the unit’s capacity, the chief minister granted in-principle approval for 1,221 new posts. He also announced Rs 5.3 billion for infrastructure upgrades, vehicles, motorcycles, and advanced operational equipment.
Chief Minister Afridi stated that the Special Branch will be strengthened in line with modern counter-terrorism needs. He affirmed that all essential resources will be provided to boost its operational efficiency and ensure a more effective response to emerging security threats.
Security Forces Neutralize 13 Militants in Targeted Operations
Separately, security forces carried out targeted operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, eliminating 13 militants linked to the India-sponsored Fitna Al Khawarij network. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were conducted between 20 and 21 November 2025 in two districts.
In Lakki Marwat’s Paharkhel area, a joint intelligence-based operation led to the killing of ten militants after an intense exchange of fire. Another intelligence-driven operation was conducted in Dera Ismail Khan, where three more militants were neutralized. The ISPR noted that the operations were launched after reports of militant presence in the region.
