Police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have established Pakistan’s first Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) division to enhance aerial surveillance and counter the growing use of drones by militant groups.

According to a statement from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, the new unit will operate under the province’s Safe City Project. The division will deploy surveillance drones and anti-drone systems across different districts to improve monitoring and security operations.

Authorities said ground control stations have been set up in all districts to enable real-time aerial surveillance. Police also plan to conduct forensic examinations of drones that are shot down during militant activities to better understand the technology used by armed groups.

Officials added that a modern Drone Innovation Centre will be established at the Elite Police Training Centre. The centre will focus on advanced research, operational development, and the testing of new aerial technologies.

Training programs for police officers have already begun at the School of Tactics, where personnel are learning to operate surveillance drones and anti-drone systems.

Security officials say the new UAV division will significantly improve real time intelligence gathering, operational response and public safety particularly in sensitive districts such as Bannu Lakki Marwat and Waziristan.