BANNU: A jirga of the Mandan tribe has demanded immediate release of a kidnapped youth, Osama Khan, setting the abductors a 48-hour deadline and warning of strong measures if he is not set free within the stipulated time period.

The jirga was held in the Khwaja Mad area and chaired by Malik Akbar Ali Khan. Tribal elders and representatives of various sub-clans were in attendance.

Addressing the gathering, former nazim Malik Khalid Riaz Khan said that Osama Khan worked as a fee collector for a government contractor on a monthly salary of Rs15,000. He said that on June 15, while performing his duties near Miryan Gate, Khan was allegedly abducted by two armed motorcyclists.

According to him, the kidnappers later contacted the family and contractor using the victim’s mobile phone and demanded a ransom of Rs10 million. He added that mobile phone tracking conducted in the presence of the DSP city indicated the victim’s location in the Malak Shahi Janikhel area.

The participants, including Haji Gul Khan, Malik Faraz Khan, Nisar Khan Advocate, Malik Hayat Khan and others, called for immediate and safe recovery of the abducted youth. After consultations, the jirga unanimously decided to give the tribe allegedly linked to the kidnappers two days to secure Osama Khan’s release. The jirga warned that if the victim was not released within the deadline, the Mandan tribe would launch a protest movement.

The participants also urged law enforcement agencies to take immediate and effective measures for the safe recovery of the kidnapped youth.

Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2026