BANNU: Terrorists have released 13 hostages in the mountainous Hathikhel area of Bannu’s Wazir subdivision after negotiations with local elders, local sources said here on Tuesday.

The villagers were held hostage by militants on Friday when the former were relocating to safer areas in the Hathikhel area.

A video received by Dawn purportedly showed the released individuals standing together, while local commander of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Nasir alias Gidarh and some local elders were also seen with them.

In the video, the militant commander asked the local elders not to get involved in the ongoing fighting.

Police have not issued any statement about the release of hostages.

The development came amid the continuing tensions in Hathikhel and adjoining mountainous areas among militants, police and a local peace committee. Several families are reportedly facing difficulties and moving to safer locations.

Local sources earlier claimed that militants were trying to prevent residents from leaving the area and had imposed certain restrictions on families seeking to relocate.

They also insisted that some houses were demolished after families failed to comply with those restrictions.

Meanwhile, another group in Hathikhel has taken up arms against militants and is reportedly engaged in an armed resistance.

Local sources said that the group was unwilling to negotiate with militants.

DETAINED: Eight suspects were detained during an operation against suspected militants in the Talgi area here on Tuesday.

The joint operation was led by Bannu district police officer Furqan Bilal.

The personnel from the counter-terrorism department, police, Elite Force and security forces participated in the operation, which led to the demolition of the hideouts of militants with the assistance of drone quadcopters and armoured personnel carriers.

The security personnel detained eight suspects and seized one Kalashnikov and two pistols.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2026