13 Hostages Released After Talks in Bannu
BANNU: Thirteen people held captive in the mountainous Hathikhel area of Bannu’s Wazir subdivision have been released following negotiations involving local elders, according to local sources.
The villagers were reportedly taken hostage on Friday while they were attempting to move to safer locations in the area amid ongoing tensions.
A video obtained by local media reportedly showed the released individuals gathered together alongside a local commander of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Nasir alias Gidarh, and several local elders.
In the video, the militant commander reportedly urged local elders to stay out of the ongoing conflict.
Police have not issued an official statement regarding the release of the hostages.
The development comes as tensions continue in Hathikhel and nearby mountainous areas, where militants, police and a local peace committee have been involved in an increasingly difficult security situation.
Several families in the area have reportedly been trying to relocate to safer places. Local sources have also alleged that militants placed restrictions on residents attempting to leave the area.
Meanwhile, a separate group in Hathikhel has reportedly taken up arms against militants and is resisting their presence. According to local sources, the group has not agreed to negotiate with the militants.
Eight suspects detained
In a separate development, security personnel detained eight suspects during an operation in the Talgi area of Bannu on Tuesday.
The operation was conducted jointly by district police, the Counter Terrorism Department, Elite Force and security forces under the supervision of Bannu District Police Officer Furqan Bilal.
Officials said security personnel targeted suspected militant hideouts during the operation. The operation involved the use of surveillance drones and armoured vehicles.
Eight suspects were detained, while security personnel also recovered one Kalashnikov and two pistols, according to officials.
