SITUATIONER: ‘Double-tap’ terrorist attacks expose tactical gap in LEAs’ training

Terrorists in Pakistan have escalated their tactics by employing a 'two-stage attack' strategy, specifically targeting police reinforcements. This evolving method involves an initial assault on a police installation, followed by ambushes along the routes used by responding units. The predictable response patterns of law enforcement are turning reinforcements into vulnerable targets. This strategy has resulted in heavy losses for the police. In the past three years alone, 16 police personnel, including three deputy superintendents, have been killed. A recent incident on July 29th in Hangu district saw nine police personnel martyred and 28 injured when terrorists attacked a checkpost and subsequently ambushed the dispatched reinforcement team. This was the third such incident, with the most severe casualties occurring not in the initial strike, but during the subsequent attack on reinforcements. Similar attacks have occurred previously. On January 15, 2023, DSP Sardar Hussain and two gunmen were martyred by an improvised explosive device (IED) while responding to an attack on Sarband police station. On March 30, 2023, DSP Iqbal Momand and three constables were killed by an IED explosion on Pirwala Road in Lakki Marwat as a fresh contingent headed to Saddar police station. Senior police officials acknowledge that a lack of proper training and planning contributes significantly to these losses. Despite possessing modern weaponry, they argue that training remains focused on outdated methods like parades, rather than equipping officers for guerrilla warfare against a well-trained and equipped enemy.

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This is a guerrilla war and we are fighting against a well-trained and well-equipped enemy. We do not lack modern weapons, but training, as we are still doing in these training centres, parades and parades.