PESHAWAR: Four militants were killed in two separate operations carried out by security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

A statement issued by ISPR said that the first clash between security forces and militants took place during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziristan tribal district. It said that two militants were killed following an intense exchange of fire. One of the killed militants was identified as Insafullah.

It said that during the second operation, security forces engaged militants in Khyber tribal district. It added that two militants were killed and three were injured in the operation.

The statement said that troops recovered weapons and ammunition from killed militants, who were involved in numerous activities against law enforcement agencies as well as civilians. The sanitisation of the area was being carried out to eliminate other militants found there as security forces were determined to wipe out the menace of militancy from the country, it added.

Unidentified armed men kidnap three PTCL officials in Waziristan

Meanwhile, police said that three employees of Pakistan Telecommunication Company (PTCL) were kidnapped by unidentified armed persons in North Waziristan tribal district.

They were shifted to unknown location.

Police said that the PTCL employees were working in the field when unidentified persons kidnapped them. “The kidnapped PTCL employees include Hazrat Jabir, Sadirullah and Gulzadin,” they added.

Meanwhile, travel advisories were issued in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank where the district administrations alerted government officials to take safety measures. The deputy commissioners of Dera Ismail Khan and Tank districts issued the advisories in the aftermath of deteriorating law and order situation in the region.

The advisories said that militants were planning to kidnap government officials during their movement from Dera Ismail Khan to Bannu, on DI Khan-Zhob Road and DI Khan-Tank Road, in Tank and Darazinda areas, Upper and Lower South Waziristan. They urged government officials to take safety measures.

They advised government officials to avoid travelling to Bannu, on DI Khan-Zhob Road and DI Khan-Tank Road and in Tank and Darazinda areas and also not to leave their respective stations for any movement.

“If travelling is absolutely necessary, avoid staying anywhere unnecessarily during the journey,” the notification said. It said that officials should not use the same route repeatedly for travel and should not share their travel schedule with anyone.

The government officials have been told to call 15 police, respective district police officers’ control rooms and police lines without any delay if they face any emergency situation while travelling.

Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner of Bannu, Abdul Hameed Khan, has banned display of weapons, pillion riding and use of tinted glasses in vehicles for seven days in the district. “An order under Section 144 CrPC to this effect has been issued on Sunday,” said an official.

He said that the restrictions were imposed when the district police officer reported that anti-state elements could create law and order situation and disrupt the peaceful atmosphere during the upcoming anti-polio drive.

The official said that attacks on polio workers and security personnel during the recent campaigns necessitated imposition of restrictions.

He said that revenue officials tasked with polio duty would be exempted from the ban imposed on display of weapons.

He added that the violators would be dealt with under the law.

With input from our correspondents in North Waziristan, Dera Ismail Khan and Lakki Marwat districts.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2024