BANNU: Three facilitators, including a close associate of notorious militant commander ‘Gidar’, were arrested and temporary hideouts of militants were demolished during a police action here on Tuesday.

Official sources said police carried out two major operations against militants in Bannu on Tuesday and achieved significant breakthroughs in efforts to restore peace and maintain law and order in the district.

Bannu police conducted an intelligence-based operation in Sadakhel, Paindakhel, Hilal Chowk, Akbar Ali Khan Kallay, Jhandokhel, and Asparkah areas of Town and Domel. Local police committees, concerned SPs and SDPOs actively participated in the operation.

During the action, temporary hideouts of militants were completely demolished, while three facilitators, including a close associate of notorious militant commander ‘Gidar’, were arrested.

Meanwhile, Bannu Police also launched a grand search and combing operation in Abu Hanifa Town early Tuesday morning.

During the operation, 46 houses and several suspicious locations were thoroughly searched, while 17 suspects were taken into custody.

Police said that four pistols with 46 rounds, one shotgun, two SMG magazines with 54 rounds, and two M-4 magazines with 63 rounds were recovered from the possession of the suspects. Further investigation is underway.

Police officials said that both operations were conducted in a highly coordinated and peaceful manner without any untoward incident, resulting in major progress towards eliminating militant and criminal elements from the area.

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2026