Special force formed to facilitate tourists at scenic spots of KP

PESHAWAR: With the hills of Galiyat and Saif-ul-Malook Lake in Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is replete with scenic destinations, but the lack of security gives prospective tourists second thoughts about their trips to the north of the country.

However, the paths to these destinations would no longer remain unmanned and unsafe as the KP police have formed forces for the safety of tourists going for trips to these destinations. According to the police officials, the personnel included in the tourist police force have completed their 14-day training of dealing with untoward incidents and to help tourists. The new force has also been provided with 40 heavy bikes.

Initially, 40 personnel will patrol the tourist destinations in Swat, Abbottabad, Galiyat and Mansehra, while the command control centres in these areas have also been made operational. These four areas are the main places where the most sought after spots are situated.

While talking to Geo News, Abbottabad DPO Syed Ashfaq Anwer said that since the force would be patrolling the tourist spots, hardcore police would not be deployed there so that people can relax. He added such a system was in place in Switzerland, Bangkok and Malaysia as well.

The personnel would not be armed as their main purpose will be to guide and facilitate tourists, the DPO said. "They will also help people in case they meet an accident or lose something, not having tourists to go to the police stations."