PESHAWAR : In a testament to their unwavering dedication and courage, the Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police has successfully defused 361 explosives in the first half of this year. The team’s remarkable efforts have safeguarded countless lives across the province.
Among the explosives neutralized were a suicide jacket, a remote-control bomb, six time devices, 234 hand grenades, and 119 rockets. Notably, the highest number of defused explosives, 115, were in Mardan, followed by 87 in Peshawar, 55 in Kohat, 31 in Lower Dir, and 11 each in Malakand and Dera Ismail Khan.
Assistant Inspector General of BDU, Rabnawaz Khan, shared that dedicated BDU units have been formed for each district, including former Fata districts. Rigorous training and the provision of necessary equipment have empowered these units to handle explosive materials effectively.
The journey of the BDU from being a small squad to a full-fledged unit began around 15 years ago when terrorism struck the province. The challenging nature of bomb disposal is not to be underestimated, with experts often facing perilous situations. They’ve even encountered booby traps, second explosives meant to target them during their life-saving work.
The sacrifices of these brave experts have not gone unnoticed. In a notable incident, BDU member Zahid survived an explosion while defusing an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) due to his protective gear. Unfortunately, not all heroes have been as fortunate, with some losing their lives in the line of duty, like Inspector Hukam Khan and Inspector Abdul Haq.
Despite the dangers, BDU experts have continued to persevere, defusing hundreds of explosives and saving countless lives since 2009. Their record speaks volumes: from 2009 to 2021, they defused 137 suicide jackets, 456 remote-controlled explosive devices, 586 timed explosive devices, and thousands of rockets and hand grenades.
Their resilience is even more commendable considering that their efforts extended to the former tribal areas only recently. As we celebrate their dedication, let’s remember the silent heroes who selflessly risk their lives to ensure our safety and security.
