New Delhi, August 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A growing confrontation between Pakistan’s Army and police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has brought renewed attention to the worsening security situation in the region, with police accusing the military establishment of interfering in counter-terrorism operations and allegedly protecting terrorists.
KP has witnessed persistent violence and frequent terrorist incidents, while tensions between the provincial administration and the security establishment have increasingly surfaced over the handling of suspected militants.
According to officials, the latest protests are centred in Bannu, where the Bannu Police Peace Committee has accused the Army of excessive interference in policing and counter-terrorism operations. Protesters have opposed the transfer of seven police officials, alleging that such moves could weaken efforts against terrorism in Bannu and Lakki Marwat.
An Intelligence Bureau official cited in the report said the prolonged instability in KP was also linked to what was described as interference by the Army in the functioning of district administrations.
The official alleged that the military establishment has, at times, intervened after local police arrested suspected terrorists and sought their release on the grounds that they were associated with the government or were in the area for official work. Such alleged interventions, the official said, have undermined police morale and counter-terrorism operations.
The latest dispute follows similar allegations made last year by then KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who had accused the Army and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of unwarranted interference when local police arrested terrorists.
The police and public protests have also raised concerns about a possible escalation between the provincial administration and Pakistan’s security establishment.
Officials further alleged that similar tactics have been observed in Balochistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, where security agencies have been accused of using militant groups to influence local security situations. In Balochistan, the officials alleged the use of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Islamic State-linked elements against the Balochistan Liberation Army, while in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir they alleged that militants were used to inflame tensions during protests.
The allegations could not be independently verified. The continuing confrontation, however, has added to concerns over law and order in KP, where residents have been demanding greater peace, stability and security.
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