LAKKI MARWAT: The police foiled a kidnapping bid and safely recovered two hostages from their captors during an action in Gandi Chowk here, DSP Naurang circle Sabz Ali Khan said on Tuesday.

He said a party of Shaheed Asmatullah Khan Khattak police station blocked the main artery on receiving information that armed suspects were moving towards the Gandi Chowk from Naurang Bazaar in a car.

He said when the car came close to the checkpoint the cops signalled it to stop but the men onboard opened fire.

“Police returned the fire and succeeded in intercepting the car after a brief chase,” he claimed.

DSP Khan said a suspect sitting on the rear seat managed to escape taking advantage of the densely-populated area before the policemen reached the car to apprehend the suspects.

“However, the cops overpowered driver, Zer Mohammad and Danish Rehman, residents of Bannu, and seized three AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition from them,” he said.

They said two persons, Ansar Abbas and Umar Sajjad, residents of Sargodha, were also onboard and later it emerged the armed suspects had kidnapped them from Bannu and were shifting them to an undisclosed location.

“Ansar and Umar told police that armed men kidnapped them from Bannu city after snatching gold jewellery and around three million cash from them,” he added.

The DSP said the arrested suspects also disclosed the name of their fleeing accomplice as Amir Khan, a resident of Bannu.

CHILD PROTECTION: Bannu additional deputy commissioner Aminullah Khan has said that the provincial government has promulgated the Child Protection and Welfare Act to prevent illegal, harmful and abusive practices against children and provide them with rescue and rehabilitation support.

While chairing a meeting of the child protection committee on Tuesday, he said the government with support of partner organisations was working to implement the relevant laws in letter and spirit.

The additional deputy commissioner said the true implementation of relevant laws would help curb illegal and harmful practices, including child labour and disappearances, sexual violence and abuse against children.

He called upon parents to fulfill their responsibilities with regard to ensuring the safety of their children.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2025