Pakistan installs fishing nets at security outposts to block drone attacks | Drone Strikes News
Hangu, Pakistan — Police Inspector Fayyaz Khan and his team took cover as drones laden with explosives targeted their checkpost in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on April 16. The attack, claimed by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), involved gunfire from multiple directions aimed at the Sarki Piyala police checkpoint, located about 30 kilometers from the Afghan border, which has been a focal point for violent assaults attributed mainly to the TTP.
The assault, lasting approximately seven hours, resulted in the death of an armored vehicle driver and injuries to a police constable. “There was a great deal of fear because we were in the middle of a battle. At that moment, we did not know whether we would make it back home alive,” Khan recounted in an interview.
In response to the heightened threat of drone attacks, local law enforcement in Hangu developed a cost-effective protective measure: fishing nets strung overhead between the checkpost’s rooftops and surrounding walls. This improvised barrier, resembling fishermen’s gear, was installed two months ago and has since prevented any further drone assaults at the Sarki Piyala checkpoint.
“If a drone gets close to the checkpoint, it could be caught in the net, which would either defuse it or significantly reduce the damage if it were to explode,” Khan explained, observing his colleagues, equipped with bullet-resistant vests under the protective canopy.
The cost of outfitting a standard checkpost with these nets is about 400,000 Pakistani rupees (approximately $1,435), according to Hangu district police officer Tariq Habib. He noted that this initiative aims to minimize the impact of drone and quadcopter attacks at vulnerable locations, with plans for broader implementation across the district.
A police spokesperson confirmed that similar netting systems have been deployed at police posts in five other districts—Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Dera Ismail Khan—and some military outposts in the region also have adopted this method.
This new approach marks a shift in the tactics of armed groups, as drone attacks are increasingly being used in conjunction with traditional assaults. Pakistan has witnessed a surge in armed violence, particularly targeting law enforcement and military personnel, with TTP claiming responsibility for many such incidents. The group advocates for an Islamist regime in Pakistan, mirroring the Taliban’s governance in Afghanistan.
Pakistani officials have accused Afghanistan’s Taliban government of sheltering the TTP, urging action to curb cross-border attacks—a claim Kabul has rejected, framing it as a domestic security concern for Pakistan.
Recent violent encounters in Hangu have raised alarm. On July 29, attackers used bomb-rigged quadcopters alongside ground assaults on a police outpost, killing at least 11 officers and injuring 28 others. On September 20, an exchange of fire resulted in the deaths of six soldiers and eight attackers. This violence followed a separate incident in Kohat, where 23 individuals, including 16 police officers, were killed in coordinated attacks.
Hangu police have recorded at least 16 assaults this year, marking it as one of the most volatile districts in the province. However, following the installation of fishing nets, officers at both the Sarki Piyala and nearby Baliamena checkpoints have reported no drone incidents.
Zeeshan Khan, another police officer, described the nets as an additional layer of security. “If an attack does occur, these measures can reduce potential damage,” he said, estimating a decrease in possible casualties by 40 to 50 percent.
Local residents, like 28-year-old activist Mohammad Usama, express concern over the impact violence has on community life, particularly education for children. “There is always a fear of stray bullets hitting our children,” he lamented, hoping for an end to such violence.
While some experts view the use of fishing nets as a potentially inadequate protective measure, suggesting it may provide a false sense of security, police officials argue the system enhances defense capabilities at police stations. Critics highlight that attacks might target more significant sites for broader psychological impact and question whether police have the capabilities to intercept drones before they strike.
Fida Adeel, a counterterrorism analyst, pointed to the historical military use of nets for protection. He also emphasized the need for rigorous testing to substantiate claims regarding their effectiveness against bomb-carrying drones. In response, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police confirmed that formal trials of the netting system showed promise in preventing detonation.
Despite the acknowledgment that fishing nets are not a guaranteed solution, Inspector Khan remains committed to duty. “We cannot say that the netting system provides complete protection,” he stated, emphasizing the readiness of officers to make sacrifices for their community.
This article was produced in collaboration with Egab.
