BANNU: At least six terrorists were killed early on Wednesday when Bannu police successfully repelled a major attack on the Mazanga police post, officials said.

According to police, heavily armed terrorists attacked the post in the early hours of Wednesday, but personnel responded promptly and foiled the assault.

An intense exchange of fire continued for some time, during which one terrorist was killed on the spot, while the bodies of five other terrorists were taken away by their accomplices.

Following the incident, Bannu District Police Officer (DPO) Yasir Afridi, along with Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Arshad Khan and teams from the Rapid Response Force and Quick Response Force, reached the scene immediately. They cordoned off the area and initiated a search operation.

Police recovered weapons and other equipment from the site, including magazines, hand grenades, bandoliers and other material.

During the incident, a constable sustained minor injuries and was shifted to a hospital, where he was reported to be out of danger.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General (IG) Zulfiqar Hameed praised the performance of the Bannu Police for their successful operation and announced cash rewards and commendation certificates for the personnel involved.

Meanwhile, Bannu Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sajjad Khan reaffirmed that the police will continue to stand like an “iron wall” against all forms of terrorism.

Bannu district has been the scene of repeated security incidents in recent months, with both civilians and local security forces coming under attack amid a broader surge in militant violence.

Days ago, five workers of the National Radio Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) were abducted by unidentified armed men while they were working on a project.

On Sunday, a police head constable and his five-year-old daughter were injured when unidentified motorcyclists opened fire near Bannu’s Shahdev area. The same day, the bomb disposal squad defused an improvised explosive device (IED) in the jurisdiction of Kakki police station, averting a major tragedy.

Violence in Bannu has included attacks on police and jirga members, prompting targeted operations by police and security forces in various localities to disrupt militant networks.

On April 19, a terrorist and an alleged suicide bomber were killed by security forces during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Bannu. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the terrorist was the “main handler” of a suicide bomber who resulted in the martyrdom of Lt Col Gul Faraz during an IBO in Bannu on February 21.

BANNU: An incident in the Domel area of Bannu has left the community in mourning after two young men were abducted and later killed by unidentified militants on Thursday night, police said.

According to local sources, the two men were travelling in a car late at night when they reached the Painda Khel area. Armed militants reportedly signalled them to stop, but when they did not comply, the attackers opened indiscriminate fire on the vehicle.

As a result of the firing, one of the young men was killed on the spot, while the other sustained injuries.

The militants then took them to an undisclosed location. Sources said one of the victims was later executed in captivity.

The following morning, the bodies of the victims were recovered from separate locations. One body was found at Umarzai Chowk, while the other was found near Isparka Chowk.

Both victims belonged to the Taus Khel tribe of the Hathi Khel Subdivision in Wazir, Bannu.

Residents have urged the government and law enforcement agencies to take immediate and effective measures to restore peace and security in the area.

The Hathi Khel tribe has been resisting militant elements over the past year, during which several young men and tribal elders have been killed in similar incidents.

Violence in Bannu has included attacks on police and jirga members, prompting targeted operations by police and security forces in various localities to disrupt militant networks.

KP has seen a rise in terror attacks in the past year. According to the Annual Security Report 2025 from the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), KP recorded a significant surge in violence last year as “fatalities rose from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025”.

BANNU: Two personnel of the Federal Consta­bulary (FC) were martyred in a firing incident carried out by militants in Kuram Garhi on Sunday, in the jurisdiction of the Cantt police station.

According to police, the slain officials were shopping at a local market when the attackers, who arrived on a bike, targeted them and managed to flee the scene.

FC sources said the deceased were identified as Havaldar Rokhniyaz and sepoy Rehmanullah. Both were posted in the FC Daryoba MI platoon.

Soon after the incident, the security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace the attackers. Additional police personnel were also deployed for the task. Security officials stated all available resources were being utilised to apprehend the suspects at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the Sham­uzai police post in the remit of the Township police station was dest­royed by the militants on Saturday night after they rigged it with explosives. Sources said the intense explosion destroyed the building, which had been lying vacant since 2022.

After the blast, the pol­ice and other law enforcement agencies reached the scene, cordoned off the area, and began collecting evidence to hunt the suspects. Police confirmed that no casualties occu­rred in the incident. Sep­arately, a ‘Qau­mi Jirga’ announced a shutter-down and wheel-jam str­ike on April 20.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2026

BANNU: Three polio workers abducted by militants on Wednesday have been safely recovered through coordinated efforts by the police and local jirga elders, police said.

Under the leadership of the Bannu district police officer (DPO), the police initiated immediate action following the incident. A comprehensive strategy was adopted by taking local jirga elders into confidence. Due to the successful mediation by the jirga and the professional competence of the police, the abducted workers were safely recovered.

Bannu DPO Yasir Afridi, while confirming the development, told Dawn that “with a lot of efforts, they have been recovered”.

The three polio workers were abducted by unidentified militants in the Jhandu Khel area on Wednesday during the ongoing anti-polio campaign, sparking serious concern in the area.

Earlier this week, a police constable was martyred and four others were injured in an attack on a law enforcement party en route to provide security for polio teams in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu district.

The incident took place on the first day of a nationwide vaccination campaign taking place from April 13 to 19. It was this year’s first attack on law enforcement personnel deployed for polio teams’ security.

Polio vaccinators, who go door-to-door to inoculate children, are frequently targeted by militants, esp­e­cially in KP and Balochistan.

In February, a police of­­fi­cer was martyred when armed terrorists opened fire on a polio vaccination team in Balochistan’s Chaman district.

According to officials, the number of violent incidents against polio teams had decreased last year due to foolproof security measures, with four policemen and one civilian killed, and three police officials injured. They also said 17 health workers were kidnapped during vaccination campaigns.