BANNU: Unknown terrorists abducted the driver of the Peshawar High Court’s Bannu Bench deputy registrar, along with three others in Domel area here on Monday evening. However, later the three other abductees were set free by their captors.

Terrorists had intercepted a vehicle on way from Bannu to Woligai Mosakhel near Sperka Chowk and whisked away four passengers with them.

Those abducted included Kifayatullah, a clerk in the education department, Arif, the driver of the PHC deputy registrar, Asim and Rauf, residents of Woligai, Domel. However, the driver of the vehicle was released at the spot.

Later, three of the abductees along with the vehicle were also set free. However, Arif remains in their captivity.

According to sources, terrorists attempted to obtain specific information from him, as he had thrown away his mobile phone and wallet at the scene.

This is reportedly the reason for his continued detention, they added.

Saeed Khan, assistant registrar of Peshawar High Court, Bannu Bench, told Dawn that Arif was still with the abductors.

Police have confirmed the incident, stating that efforts were going on for his safe recovery.

SUCCUMBS TO INJURIES: Former tehsil nazim and lawyer Malik Naimatullah Khan Advocate, who was critically injured in a bloody clash over a property dispute, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in the Fazal Shah Mitakhel area of Bannu on Tuesday.

Mr Naimatullah had sustained critical injuries during an exchange of gunfire with close relatives over a property dispute on January 7 and remained under treatment, but could not survive.

Mr Naimatullah served as Bannu tehsil nazim and a member of the district bar association.

A large number of lawyers, elders, political and social figures attended his funeral prayers.

With his demise, the death toll in the Fazal Shah Mitakhel incident has risen to four, while four others were injured.

The police said Ajab Khan and Roshan were killed from the one side. Naimatullah Advocate sustained critical injuries.

In the same incident, two brothers, Haroon and Babar, and Yaseen were also injured.

Hassan lost his life from the other side, while a passerby, Murad Khan, was also injured in the incident.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2026