SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: The district administration and police on Thursday temporarily closed and evacuated Wana’s major Rustam Bazaar here due to security threats.

Police officials told Dawn that the move came as authorities received reports of security threats from reliable sources.

They said all shopkeepers and civilians present in Wana Rustam Bazaar were asked to immediately leave the area, while business activities were completely halted.

The officials said the move was declared a preventive step against any untoward incident.

DPO asks residents to avoid visiting ‘sensitive’ areas

District police officer Mohammad Tahir Shah said that law-enforcement agencies had acted promptly on threat alerts.

“Based on intelligence inputs regarding possible security risks, it was decided to temporarily close Wana’s Rustam Bazaar,” he said.

The DPO added that not only the main Rustam Bazaar but also adjoining areas were cleared as part of the security plan.

He said that additional contingents of police and security forces had been deployed in and around the affected areas to maintain strict control over the situation.

Mr Shah said all forms of movement within the bazaar were restricted, and checkpoints were placed on entry and exit routes to prevent unauthorised access.

He said traders and residents cooperated fully with the administration and law enforcement agencies by vacating the market without resistance.

The DPO urged residents and traders to continue following the directives of police and administration and avoid visiting “sensitive” areas until the situation was declared safe.

Following the closure of the market, the police launched a massive search and combing operation in the area.

Officials said that bomb disposal squads, along with police and other law-enforcement agencies, were engaged in checking suspected locations.

They said surveillance was tightened at all internal and external access points, while the area remained under close monitoring.

Police said the security situation was being reviewed continuously and that the decision to reopen the bazaar would be taken only after complete clearance and elimination of potential threats.

“Public safety is our top priority, and no compromise will be made in this regard,” a police official said.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2026