Tech Upgrade: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Deploy AI-Powered Thermal Drones for Surveillance

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Police department has acquired 76 high-tech unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) integrated with advanced monitoring and thermal imaging systems to bolster aerial surveillance, anti-terror initiatives, and emergency management across the region.

During a distribution event held at the Central Police Office in Peshawar, Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Hameed presented DJI Mavic 4T surveillance models to officials representing 27 districts and seven specialized police divisions. Furthermore, specialized DJI Matrice 400 RTK units featuring high-end thermal capabilities were dispatched to Counter Terrorism Department units operating in high-risk zones to assist with target surveillance and tactical operations.

Addressing the gathering, IGP Hameed emphasized that upgrading the technological capabilities of the provincial police force remains a primary objective. He noted that the newly inducted thermal imaging assets will optimize operations against militant groups, streamline intelligence-driven raids, aid search-and-strike initiatives, secure high-profile sites, manage public assemblies, and assist in rescue operations during humanitarian crises.

The provincial police chief added that these systems will significantly sharpen the department's capacity to monitor illegal night-time movements, citing the drones' high velocity, extended flight endurance, and substantial payload capacities.

Underscoring that data-driven and tech-centric policing is vital in the current landscape, IGP Hameed reiterated that maximum administrative assets are being channeled toward modernizing the force. He observed that integrating sophisticated surveillance tech will refine tactical response times, boost operational efficiency, and safeguard on-duty personnel. To ensure optimal utility of the newly deployed hardware, specialized training programs are concurrently being conducted for the assigned operators and officers.

The aerial units were allocated across multiple administrative wings and districts, including Peshawar, Khyber, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Battagram, Torghar, Haripur, Swat, Shangla, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Bajaur, Buner, Lower Chitral, Kohat, Hangu, Kurram, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, alongside specialized units like the SSU, Elite Force, Special Branch, FRP, PTC Hangu, and EPTC Nowshera.