BANNU: A joint operation by security forces and police against militants continued for second consecutive day in various areas of Domel tehsil here on Friday.

However, no confirmed details regarding losses were available till filing of this report. Bannu district administration had imposed Section 144 in Dogar Umarzai, Jhandokhel, Kotka Akbar Ali Khan, Bakool Khel, Sada Khel, and Painda Khel of Domel tehsil.

On Friday morning, security forces and police entered these areas and launched a search and clearance operation.

During the operation, a jirga was held in Sperka area between security forces officials and local elders to ensure safeevacuation of civilians trapped in Kotka Akbar Ali Khan.

The jirga was attended by Malik Umar Hayat Khan, Malik Tawani, chairman Domel village council Malik Israr Wazir, chairman VC Dogar Umarzai Sufyan, Advocate Fahim Azad Wazir, Ikramullah (son of MPA Zahidullah Wazir), Malik Ishaq Khan, Malik Muqarab Khan, and chairmen of other village councils.

During the jirga, elders were informed that large bushes and wild vegetation in the area should be burned, as militants had established hideouts there. Security officials also demanded that bodies of militants allegedly buried by their accomplices on the first day of the operation be exhumed and handed over to the forces.

However, the jirga elders outrightly rejected these demands and maintained a single stance, that civilians trapped due to the operation in Kotka Akbar Ali Khan should be immediately and safely evacuated.

In response, the security official assured the elders that their concerns would be conveyed to the higher authorities, stating that the forces were mindful of civilians’ safety and that militants had used civilians as human shield.

The jirga elders announced that another jirga would be held on Saturday (today) at Malik Umar Hayat Khan’s hujra, after which they would once again meet the district administration. Sources also revealed that militants had allegedly planted landmines in the area.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2026