Counter Terrorism Department (Pakistan)
The Counter Terrorism Department (Urdu: سررشتہِ تحقیقاتِ جرائم ، پاکستان Devanagari: सररश्ती-ए-तहक़ीक़ाते-जराइम, पाकिस्तान ; CTD), previously known as the Crime Investigation Department (CID), serves as a bureau for crime scene investigations, interrogations, anti-terrorism efforts, and intelligence operations within the provincial police services of Pakistan.
| Counter Terrorism Department کاؤنٹر ٹیررازم ڈیپارٹمنٹ | |
|---|---|
| Common name | CTD |
| Motto | To fight terrorism in all its manifestations |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 21 July 2010 |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | Pakistan |
| Governing body | Ministry of Interior Provincial police services of Pakistan |
| General nature | |
| Specialist jurisdiction | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Karachi (CTD Sindh)
Peshawar (CTD KP) Lahore (CTD Punjab) Quetta (CTD Balochistan) Islamabad (CTD Islamabad) |
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent agency | Police Service of Pakistan |
CTDs operate across all four provinces of Pakistan under the authority of their respective provincial Home Ministries. Additionally, the Islamabad Police, Gilgit-Baltistan Police, and Azad Kashmir Police each maintain their own CTD bureaus. Typically, CTD bureaus are led by an Additional Inspector General of Police. In Karachi, CTD teams have been active in gathering intelligence to combat organized crime, and in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB), they have infiltrated terrorist cells to identify and apprehend operatives associated with groups such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Islamic State, al-Qaeda, and various other terrorist and separatist organizations.
Between 2010 and 2015, several provincial Crime Investigation Departments (CIDs) were restructured and renamed as "Counter Terrorism Departments" (CTDs) in alignment with the National Action Plan aimed at addressing terrorism and enhancing security measures in the country.
formationEdit
In 1902, the British government established Crime Investigation Department (CID) bureaus across India. Following the creation of Pakistan in 1947, these CID bureaus were allocated to the new country. In Punjab and Sindh, CID bureaus were set up in 1947, with subsequent establishments in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the years that followed.
However, due to the increasing threat of terrorism in Pakistan, the CIDs were restructured into Counter Terrorism Departments (CTDs) as part of the National Action Plan framework, operating under the command of the respective provincial police departments. The CTDs are now responsible for gathering information and intelligence, as well as conducting operations against terrorist organizations.
Currently, there are four CTDs, each named according to its jurisdictional province: CTD Punjab, CTD Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, CTD Sindh, and CTD Balochistan. Each CTD is typically led by either an Additional Inspector General of Police (Additional IGP) or a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP), depending on the size and scope of the department. In Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it is common for the Additional IGP to head the organisation. Each CTD is further divided into various sections and units, managed by officers of the DIG or Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) rank, with specific responsibilities for operations, intelligence, and investigations.
Each provincial Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) is organised into various zones corresponding to the divisions within each province. For example, CTD Sindh is segmented into five zones: Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, and Nawabshah. Each of these zones is overseen by an officer of either Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) or Superintendent of Police (SP) rank. Within these zones, CTD police stations are established across different districts, typically led by an Inspector or Sub-Inspector rank officer designated as the Station House Officer (SHO).
In Punjab, the CTD has its own specialized Counter Terrorism Force that supports the department in conducting raids against terrorist elements. In contrast, CTD Khyber Pakhtunkhwa relies on the Elite Force of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police for similar operations targeting terrorist hideouts.
The personnel for all four CTDs predominantly come from their respective provincial police departments. Officers and constables are largely absorbed into the CTD from these provincial forces, resulting in a workforce that is familiar with the local context and dynamics. This local knowledge aids the CTD in executing effective operations against terrorist activities in the regions they serve.
| Grade | CTD Ranks | Abbreviations |
|---|---|---|
| BS-7 | Constable | PC |
| BS-9 | Head Constable | HC |
| BS-11 | Assistant Sub-Inspector | ASI |
| BS-14 | Sub-Inspector | SI |
| BS-16 | Inspector | Inspector |
| BS-17 | Deputy Superintendent of Police
Assistant Suprintendent of Police |
DSP
ASP |
| BS-18 | Superintendent of Police | SP |
| BS-19 | Senior Superintendent of Police | SSP |
| BS-20 | Deputy Inspector General | DIG |
| BS-21 | Additional Inspector General | Addl.IG |
CTD SindhEdit
In Sindh, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) is led by an Additional Inspector General of Police and operates several sub-bureaus throughout Karachi. Additional CTD sub-bureaus are established in Larkana, Sukkur, Hyderabad, and Mirpur, each headed by a Superintendent of Police (SP). In Karachi, the CTD focuses on crime scene investigations, interrogations of suspects, counter-terrorism measures, and intelligence operations within the city.
In 2023, the Sindh government allocated an increased budget of Rs2.83 billion for the CTD, which is earmarked for acquiring essential equipment and weapons amounting to Rs72.28 million. Additionally, new vehicles worth Rs800 million will be procured for officers and staff to enhance the operational capabilities of the CTD across Sindh.
The CTD has faced significant challenges, notably since the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) coordinated a terrorist attack on the CID building in Karachi in 2010, which nearly destroyed the headquarters. Since then, personnel from the Karachi CTD have been involved in police encounters, shootouts, murder cases, and high-speed chases against al-Qaeda and TTP terrorists. For instance, in 2015, CTD teams successfully gunned down four al-Qaeda operatives following a high-speed chase in Qayyumabad, Karachi.
However, the CTD has also faced controversies. On 08 January 2025, the CTD Karachi In-charge, Raja Umar Khattab, along with other officials, was dismissed from their positions after being implicated in a short kidnapping incident. This incident allegedly resulted in the illegal transfer of over 34 crore US$ (29.90 arab ₹ [1]) in cryptocurrency, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the department.
CTD PunjabEdit
The Punjab Police's Crime Investigation Department (CID) was rebranded as the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in 2010, aligning with similar changes across Pakistan. Following a restructuring in 2015, the CTD was assigned expanded responsibilities related to counter-terrorism, going beyond its traditional intelligence-gathering functions.
As part of this restructuring, operational counter-terrorism forces were integrated into the CTD through the establishment of the Counter Terrorism Force. This specialised unit is composed of police officers who have received advanced training, and it may also include personnel with military backgrounds. The creation of this force enhances the CTD's capacity to respond effectively to terrorist threats and conduct operations aimed at neutralising such dangers within the province.
CTD Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)Edit
The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) bureau in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa collaborates closely with personnel from the Frontier Corps, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and various offices of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police to effectively execute its investigative, counter-terrorism, and intelligence functions. The CTD is led by an Additional Inspector General of Police, with its headquarters located in Peshawar. It is organized into 14 regional zones, each headed by officers of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) or Superintendent of Police (SP) rank. These zones span across various divisions of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, including CTD Peshawar, CTD Bannu, CTD DI Khan, CTD Malakand, and CTD Kohat. Each zone is further subdivided into police stations and centers within the respective districts.
The Peshawar CTD bureau has been proactive in conducting operations against TTP militants, executing raids on their hideouts. In 2013, the bureau underwent restructuring, which incorporated the Elite Force and the Counter Terrorism Directorate (CTD) to enhance its capabilities. These units work alongside special agents from the FIA to conduct counter-terrorism operations effectively.
Historically, the CTD has played a significant role in tackling crime, smuggling, and outlaw activities. In extraordinary circumstances, the Frontier Constabulary is called upon to assist the police in maintaining law and order. Currently, however, the Peshawar CTD has shifted its focus primarily towards conducting criminal investigations and solving murder cases, reflecting a broader approach to law enforcement in the region.
Following the Fall of Kabul in August 2021, Pakistan has experienced a resurgence of terrorism, with the Counter Terrorism Department Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (CTD KP) playing a crucial role in responding to these developments. The CTD KP has conducted numerous Intelligence-Based Operations in collaboration with other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), resulting in the elimination of many militants. A notable operation was a search and strike mission in the Swat district, aimed at clearing various hilltops and mountain ridges that had been occupied by militants. Currently, the CTD KP remains highly active in combating militant groups operating in districts near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
In response to the Peshawar Police Lines attack, an apex committee meeting was convened in Peshawar, chaired by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and attended by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Asim Munir. During this meeting, an upgrade plan for the CTD KP was approved. The plan includes equipping the CTD KP with modern technology and resources, constructing a new headquarters, and establishing a forensic laboratory to enhance the department's investigative capabilities. These initiatives aim to strengthen the CTD KP's effectiveness in countering terrorism and maintaining security in the region.
CTD BalochistanEdit
The Crime Investigation Department (CID) bureau in Balochistan was established by the Balochistan Police in 2000 and later restructured into the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Balochistan. The CTD Balochistan is currently headed by a Deputy Inspector General of Police, with its headquarters located in Quetta. The department operates its own Counter Terrorism Force and can also receive support from the Balochistan Constabulary and Balochistan Levies.
The CTD Balochistan has achieved significant successes in combating separatist and sectarian organizations, having neutralized numerous militants, including key commanders of banned groups. One notable operation occurred in August 2021, when the CTD stormed a terror training camp run by the Islamic State (ISIS) in Mastung, Balochistan, resulting in the elimination of 11 ISIS terrorists. This operation exemplifies the CTD's commitment to addressing terrorism and enhancing security within the province.
CTD IslamabadEdit
To enhance the security framework of the Islamabad Capital Territory in accordance with the National Action Plan and to effectively prevent and control terrorist activities, the Federal Government has established its own Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) within the Islamabad Police. This initiative aims to ensure a prompt and efficient response to any potential threats.
The CTD Islamabad is organized into several specialized teams to address various aspects of counter-terrorism operations:
- Rapid Field Teams (RFT): These teams are designed for immediate deployment in response to emergencies.
- Intelligence Field Team (IFT): Focused on gathering and analysing intelligence related to potential terrorist activities.
- Investigation Team (IT): Responsible for conducting thorough investigations into terrorist incidents and related crimes.
- Specialised Field Team (SFT): Comprised of experts trained in specific counter-terrorism tactics.
- Explosives Handling Team: Specialises in the safe handling and disposal of explosives and bomb threats.
- High Rise & Mountaineering Team: Trained to operate in high-rise buildings and mountainous terrains.
- Snipers Team: Equipped for precision shooting and tactical operations from a distance.
- Amphibious Team: Capable of conducting operations in water-based environments.
- Crisis Negotiation Team: Skilled in negotiation tactics to resolve hostage situations and other crises peacefully.
- Composite Field Teams (CFT): A combination of Rapid Field Teams and Specialised Field Teams, providing a versatile approach to various operational scenarios.
These teams collectively enhance the operational capacity of the CTD Islamabad, enabling it to respond effectively to threats and maintain security in the capital.
VehiclesEdit
- Toyota Hilux (single-cabin)
- Toyota Corolla
- Toyota Hilux (double cabin)
- Land Rover Defender
- Toyota Corolla
ReferencesEdit
- ↑ 29,90,01,40,000 ₹ , on 08-01-2025, 1 US$ = 87.771 ₹