BANNU: A tribal elder Malik Naseeb Khan was shot dead in Janikhel area here on Thursday.

According to police, Malik Naseeb Khan was travelling in a vehicle in upper Alikhel area on Thursday when unidentified assailants opened firing on him, killing him on the spot. The attackers managed to flee after the incident.

Nawab Khan, a brother of the deceased, told police that his family had no enmity with anyone. He said that the deceased was also serving as a Class-IV employee in education department.

Led by Malik Mowiz Khan, the members of Janikhel tribe protested the killing and urged government to arrest the killers immediately and take measures to restore peace in the area.

Meanwhile, Bakhtullah Wazir, a contractor, was killed and his relative Zahidullah, a schoolteacher by profession, was abducted by unidentified armed men in Khadri Mamandkhel area here on Thursday. The abducted teacher was later released.

Sources said that Bakhtullah Wazir had shifted to Peshawar some time ago due to security concerns and had recently returned to Bannu.

Nahidullah, a resident of Khadri Mamandkhel, told police that he was going in a car with Bakhtullah Wazir and Zahidullah to the city. When the vehicle slowed down near a speed breaker, five to six armed men opened firing on it, resulting in the death of Bakhtullah Wazir, he added.

The complainant said he managed to save his life by taking cover behind a wall. He said that the attackers got into the car and fled after abducting Zahidullah. He said that the deceased had personal enmities, but it was not yet clear as to who was involved in his murder.

Police have registered a case and initiated investigation.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2026