LAKKI MARWAT: An anti-terrorism court remanded two dozen suspected militants on Saturday in the custody of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of police in Bannu for 25 days.

The suspects were held during a cleanup operation in Bannu following an agreement between Aman Jirga and the government.

An official said police had also seized arms and ammunition from the suspected militants, impounded their vehicles and eliminated their hideouts during the operation. He said the suspects were handed over to the CTD, where cases were registered against them under relevant sections of the law.

A day earlier Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur while addressing a public rally in Bannu had asked the police to go after armed groups across the province.

On Saturday, the CTD produced 24 suspects in the local anti-terrorism court and sought their physical remand for a month.

Sources said the suspects were identified as Niaz, Awaz Khan, Rehan, Rahman, Azizur Re­­h­man, Armani, Hidayatullah, Masha Jan, Ki­­ra­m­atullah, Sheryar, Waseem, Ahmad Khaliq, Bak­ht Wali, Hamid Khan, Dashat Khan, Mul­aqati Khan, Munir Shah, Mohammad Anwar Shah, Mohammad Ishaq, Abdul Hameed Shah, Wali Rehman, Junaid, Amjad and Asif.

After considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the court remanded the suspects in CTD custody for 25 days, subject to their pre- and post-medical examination, to complete investigation.

Police said the militants were charged under different sections including Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2024

Opinion

From hard to harder

From hard to harder

Instead of ‘hard state’ turning even harder, citizens deserve a state that goes soft on them in delivering democratic and development aspirations.

Editorial

Canal unrest
Updated 03 Apr, 2025

Canal unrest

With rising water scarcity in Indus system, it is crucial to move towards a consensus-driven policymaking process.
Iran-US tension
03 Apr, 2025

Iran-US tension

THE Trump administration’s threats aimed at Iran do not bode well for global peace, and unless Washington changes...
Flights to history
03 Apr, 2025

Flights to history

MOHENJODARO could have been the forgotten gold we desperately need. Instead, this 5,000-year-old well of antiquity ...
Eid amidst crises
Updated 31 Mar, 2025

Eid amidst crises

Until the Muslim world takes practical steps to end these atrocities, these besieged populations will see no joy.
Women’s rights
Updated 01 Apr, 2025

Women’s rights

Such judgements, and others directly impacting women’s rights should be given more airtime in media.
Not helping
Updated 02 Apr, 2025

Not helping

If it's committed to peace in Balochistan, the state must draw a line between militancy and legitimate protest.