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PESHAWAR, Oct 24 (APP):The deadly twin blasts that claimed the lives of a senior police officer in Hangu district on Friday have reignited debate over Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Sohail Afridi’s recent irrational decision to return bomb proof and bulletproof vehicles to the federal government.
Security experts said that, had these armored vehicles been retained by the KP Govt, the tragic deaths of Superintendent of Police (SP) Operations Asad Zubair and two constables could likely have been prevented.
SP Operations Asad Zubair and two other policemen were martyred, while three sustained injuries, when terrorists carried out twin improvised explosive device (IED) attacks in Hangu district on Friday.
The first explosion occurred near a police checkpoint in Ghulmina, causing property damage but no casualties. However, as the SP’s team moved to inspect the site, a second, more powerful explosion targeted their vehicle in Darband, about two kilometres away, killing the officer and his two team members instantly.
Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) KP Syed Akhtar Ali Shah condemned the attacks on Hangu police, calling the provincial government’s decision to return the bombproof vehicles “irrational and dangerous from a security point of view.”
“Being a frontline force in war against terrorism, the KP police having very limited resources, comes under attack first, as evident from today’s tragic incident in Hangu where a brave police officer laid down life for our safety. The Chief Minister’s refusal to retain the armoured vehicles provided by the Interior Ministry is an illogical decision that exposed police personnel to unnecessary risk,” Syed Akhtar Shah told APP.
He stressed that with the rise in terrorism incidents in southern KP and merged tribal districts, police must be provided with proper protection, including bombproof and bulletproof vehicles. He recalled the sacrifices of senior police officers, from FC Commandant Sifwat Ghayoor Shaheed to DIG Malik Saad, who gave their lives in the fight against terrorism, saying the federal government’s initiative to equip KP Police with armoured vehicles was aimed at preventing such losses.
Opposition Leader in the KP Assembly Dr. Ebad Khan strongly condemned the attack on Hangu police and urged CM Afridi to immediately approach the Federal Interior Minister for the reinstatement of bulletproof vehicles.
He said these vehicles were built to international safety standards and had proven effective in minimizing casualties during attacks elsewhere. “Instead of blaming the federal government, the Chief Minister Afridi should take responsibility and tender apology from the nation. The people of KP know who reintroduced unwanted elements during the previous PTI government,” Dr. Ebad remarked.
While accusing the PTI-led provincial government of failing to properly utilize the Rs600 billion allocated by the federation for counterterrorism efforts, including the strengthening of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and forensic capabilities, he claimed that PTI has never taken the issue of terrorism seriously.
“No clear account has been provided of how this massive amount was spent by the KP rulers,” he added, criticizing CM Afridi for acting more as a party leader than as the province’s chief executive.
Former Chairman of the International Relations Department at the University of Peshawar, Professor Dr. Ejaz Khan, said the tragic incident in Hangu was a critical test for CM Afridi’s leadership and governance priorities besides combating terrorism.
“CM Afridi must establish functional coordination with the centre to address KP’s challenges, especially terrorism. Boycotting official meetings and prioritizing party directives over governance and anti terror operations will only worsen mistrust and instability besides making people vulnerable to subversive acts,” he said.
Dr. Ejaz emphasized that CM Sohail Afridi faces multiple challenges from terrorism and law and order to governance, illiteracy, post floods recovery and corruption and must decide whether to pursue confrontation with Islamabad or focus on administrative performance for resolution of these issues.
“The attack in Hangu underscored the urgency for swift decisions and a coherent counterterrorism policy in KP,” he noted. He added that CM Afridi must also focus on the development of his native tribal belt, where socioeconomic deprivation continues.
Security experts said each terrorist attack like on SP Operations at Hangu though varying in method and location seeks to instill fear, divide society, and destabilize the region. “Terrorism does not grow in a vacuum. It feeds on poverty, unemployment, ideological manipulation, and political disenfranchisement,” said Dr. Syed Akhtar Shah.
“Our enemies don’t just plant bombs but plant ideologies. Educating and empowering youth is the strongest weapon against extremism and terrorism,” he added.
Analysts also maintained that CM Afridi’s governance approach is being closely watched within PTI ranks and at national level, particularly regarding his coordination with party leadership, saying confrontation with state institutions by CM KP may lead to Governor rule in KP.
They observed that Afridi appears set to follow the central line led by PTI founder, unlike his predecessor Ali Amin Gandapur, who occasionally took independent stances and anti-national moves may be counterproductive for CM KP.
Party insiders believed that Aleema Khan, PTI founder’s sister, may play a more influential role in KP affairs under Afridi’s leadership and it may be difficult for Afridi to take decisions independently that may create serious governance challenges for him in future.
As pressure mounts on the CM Sohail Afridi to ensure people’s protection and restore coordination with Islamabad, experts agreed that Afridi’s response to the Hangu tragedy will matter seriously. They said that it was the right time for CM KP to rise above party politics and sit together with the federation to take the province out of existing grave challenges.