- Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Police of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa embroiled in accusations of extra-judicial killings and corruption, shaking the region’s law enforcement foundation.
- Reports reveal discrepancies in CTD’s claims of eliminating Taliban militants, with allegations of detainees being removed from custody and killed.
- Urgent calls for thorough investigations and accountability measures to restore the credibility and effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in KP amidst growing public outrage.
The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Police of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is currently embroiled in a storm of controversy, with allegations of engaging in extra-judicial killings and rampant corruption. These accusations have not only shaken the foundation of law enforcement in the region but have also raised serious questions about the integrity and credibility of the department.
A recent report submitted to the corps Commander has revealed troubling discrepancies in the department’s claims of eliminating approximately 400 Taliban militants in various police encounters. Sources within the police force have disclosed that this figure includes individuals who were either handed over to the CTD by intelligence agencies or were arrested by the department itself. Even more disturbing are allegations that suspects detained by the police during incidents of multiple bombings across the province were removed from custody and subsequently killed, while the media was falsely informed that these individuals were killed in legitimate police encounters, thus obscuring the truth behind their deaths.
The failure to acknowledge the possibility of detainees being taken out of custody and killed has sparked outrage, particularly among Taliban ranks. KP Police Chief Akhtar Hayat Gandapur and Additional IG Counter Terrorism Police Shaukat Abbas find themselves on the Taliban’s hit list, as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leadership in Afghanistan accuses the CTD of killing innocent members after their arrest.
Despite the gravity of the situation, intelligence agencies have yet to issue a formal written alert regarding the threats posed to the two senior police officers. An inspector, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed the systemic pressures within the department to carry out extrajudicial killings, stating, “Thank God I got transferred, otherwise I would have had to kill three to four people every week on the orders of my superiors.”
Moreover, reports suggest that a high-ranking Punjabi police officer stationed in Peshawar, serving in the CTD, has been accused of amassing illicit wealth amounting to billions of rupees. These funds have allegedly been invested in the establishment of an antique business, raising concerns about the department’s integrity and its divergence from its core mandate of combating terrorism.
Disturbingly, the CTD has been implicated as the primary perpetrator of kidnapping for ransom in the region, further tarnishing its image and undermining public trust in law enforcement agencies.
The allegations against the CTD underscore the urgent need for a thorough investigation into its operations and practices, as well as the imperative for accountability measures to be enforced to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of citizens. The authorities must take decisive action to address these allegations and restore the credibility and effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in KP.
The unfolding scandal has sent shockwaves throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as citizens grapple with the realization that those tasked with protecting them may instead be responsible for perpetuating violence and corruption. As the investigation unfolds, many are left wondering how deep the rot within the CTD truly runs and what steps can be taken to root out corruption and restore faith in law enforcement.
In the meantime, the families of those who have been wrongfully detained and killed by the CTD are left to mourn their loved ones and seek justice in a system that has failed them. For them, the fight for accountability and transparency is not just about holding individuals accountable but about ensuring that such abuses of power never happen again.
As the sun sets over the rugged landscape of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, there is a palpable sense of unease in the air. The future of law enforcement in the region hangs in the balance, and only time will tell whether the authorities will rise to the occasion and deliver the justice that the people so desperately seek
