SOUTH/NORTH WAZIRISTAN: Unknown men abducted Malik Tariq Wazir, the chief of Ahmadzai Wazir tribe, from Daza Ghundai area of Wana tehsil of Lower South Waziristan district on Monday evening.

Deputy commissioner Nasir Khan confirmed the incident, saying the elder along with his vehicle was taken away by unknown individuals.

According to family members, Tariq Wazir was travelling from Wana Bazaar to his home in Sheenwarsk area when he was abducted by armed men in Daza Ghondai area.

DSP Amin Wazir said an investigation had been initiated into the abduction.

It is worth mentioning here that Malik Tariq Wazir played a crucial role in tribal politics. He was renowned for his adherence to tribal traditions. His abduction is a severe blow not only to his family but also to the entire Ahmadzai Wazir tribe.

The incident has sparked widespread panic and anger among tribal people, who are already concerned about the deteriorating law and order situation in the region.

The abduction of Malik Tariq Wazir sets a disturbing precedent against tribal traditions, targeting dignitaries. Several such incidents have occurred in both Upper and Lower South Waziristan districts in recent months.

Civil society has demanded that the district administration and police take immediate action to ensure the elder’s safe recovery.

Meanwhile, two guards and driver of the Mirali assistant commissioner were kidnapped along with the official vehicle on Monday.

According to a police report, unknown persons abducted two guards – sepoys Syed Akbar and Nazir Zaman and driver Farooq Aziz – at gunpoint when they were refueling the Mirali assistant commissioner’s official double-cabin vehicle at a filling station in Harmaz village. The armed men shifted the officials to unknown location, the police said, adding the district administration and police launched a search operation for safe recovery of the abducted officials.

District administration officials said the assistant commissioner was not present in the vehicle when his guards and driver were abducted.

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2024