LAKKI MARWAT: The police and CTD commandos launched a joint operation against terrorists in rural areas of the district on Thursday.

A police official said that a large contingent of security personnel cordoned off the area along the Kurrum River on receiving information about the presence of terrorists there.

He said the policemen conducted the operation in the forest locally called Dargai in the Aatashi Michenkhel, Ghati Michenkhel, Sarkati Michenkhel and Manjiwala areas and destroyed hideouts of terrorists.

He said the dense forest was being used as a safe haven by terrorists and the police action would help to dislodge them thus paving the way for their complete elimination.

Meanwhile, terrorists blew up the house of a policeman with explosives in Mir Alam Manjiwala area late Wednesday night.

An official said that Constable Faseehullah who was injured in an operation against terrorists in Sarkai Michenkhel area three day ago had abandoned the house.

He said the blast destroyed the house, however, no human loss occurred.

Also on Thursday, the government officials and elders agreed on setting up additional checkposts at sensitive points and launching a full-scale operation against terrorists in Lakki Marwat district.

The consensus came at a meeting held here at the deputy commissioner’s office in the District Headquarters Complex Tajazai.

The government team was represented by Bannu commissioner Mohammad Ali Shah, RPO Sajjad Khan, Brig Imran Aslam, deputy commissioner Zeeshan Abdullah and other officials. Former district naib nazim Arab Khan, Malik Mohammad Idrees Khan and other elders were in attendance.

The participants from both sides discussed the law and order situation and stressed for devising an effective strategy to counter the menace of terrorism.

Recent terrorist incidents also came under discussion and the elders presented valuable suggestions for establishment of lasting peace in the area. A government official said that setting up of additional checkposts and a comprehensive operation against terrorists would help improve security and bring normalcy to the region.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2025