LAKKI MARWAT: Fear and unrest gripped Nurar area of Bannu district on Sunday after armed groups of Fitna-al-Khawarij roamed its roads and streets, forcing traders to shut their businesses and locals to stay indoors.

Locals said that terrorists armed with light and heavy weapons appeared in the town and freely moved on roads. Nurar area is located in the limits of Miryan police station which has been targeted by terrorists through quadcopters several times during the last over one month.

The residents of the area said that people remained restricted to their homes and avoided visiting bazaars and markets. They said that terrorists placed trunks of trees and stones on roads and closed them to traffic.

A resident of the area said that movement of terrorists brought commercial activities to a standstill. The presence of terrorists prompted police and law enforcement agencies to swing into action and reach the rural area immediately.

Bannu DPO Saleem Abbas Kulachi said that the presence of 200 to 250 Fitna-al-Khawarij terrorists had been noticed in the limits of Miryan police station. He said that terrorists always used civilians, especially children, as human shield so police could not engage them.

“The biggest challenge is that terrorists deliberately take shelter in residential areas among civilians and children to prevent law enforcers from initiating action against them,” he said.

The DPO said that terrorists did not go to any deserted place where police could engage them with no risk of collateral damage. He said that in such circumstances, they advised people to close their shops and stay indoors so that they could remain safe in case security forces and police launched action against terrorists.

“Terrorists want police to take action against them in residential areas and if any collateral damage occurs they could use it to defame police and security forces,” claimed.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2025