THE police are a vital pillar of our social fabric, serving not only as guardians of the law but also as protectors of the community, said President Asif Ali Zardari on Police Martyrs Day on Aug 4. “Their exemplary courage, firm dedication and ultimate sacrifice in the service of the nation will always inspire pride and command the deepest respect of every citizen of Pakistan,” he added. The prime minister, too, honoured the bravery of police officers who had laid down their lives in the line of duty, noting that the force displays “exceptional professionalism and unflinching resolve” in the nation’s fight against terrorism, violent extremism and crime.

The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies reported that the first seven months of 2026 witnessed 2,786 deaths linked to terrorist violence and counterterrorism operations — 434 security forces’ personnel lost their lives, including 152 police officials in KP and 89 in Balochistan. So far, July has been the deadliest month of 2026, with 112 security officials offering the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, compared to 38 fatalities a month earlier in June. This is an unprecedented 195 per cent increase in the deaths of law enforcers.

At least eight suicide attacks were recorded last month, the highest number in a single month during the past decade. The recent deadly attack near a police station in Swat caused 17 fatalities. As this paper rightly asserted after the Swat bombing, it “is far too high a toll, and the state needs to urgently refine its CT strategy to prevent further loss of precious lives”.

Following Police Martyrs Day, one of us convened a forum of serving and retired police officers to discuss the current vulnerabilities and challenges faced by police in general, and those in KP and Balochistan in particular. The trajectory and tenor of violence in these provinces have distinct........

© Dawn