BAJAUR: The district administration on Sunday imposed a ban on all kinds of political gatherings, “hate speech” against the state and the display of arms and weapons in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur for 30 days, invoking Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) owing to the prevailing law and order situation.

The notification formalising the restriction, seen by Dawn, said Bajaur Deputy Commissioner Adnan Farid Afridi approved the restrictions in view of the prevailing law and order situation, citing the need for additional measures to safeguard public life and property and maintain peace in the district.

The notification further stated that law enforcement agencies were required to remain more vigilant to avert any “unpleasant mishaps” while also enhancing security at the district’s entry and exit points and discouraging and disallowing “unauthorised gatherings” in public places.

“Sufficient grounds exist to believe that immediate preventive measures are required to be taken,” the notification added.

The notification stated that the order would come into force on Sunday (November 15) and remain in effect until December 15, unless modified or withdrawn. It warned that anyone found violating the order would be punished under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

In October, authorities banned pillion riding in Bajaur for 10 days, citing the security situation back then as well.

KP, including Bajaur, has been witnessing terrorist attacks and security challenges for a long time.

Last month, a police officer was martyred after terrorists attacked a police post in KP’s Bajaur.

On Friday, the miliatry’s media affairs wing said 74 terrorists had been killed in intelligence-based operations in KP and Balochistan. It said 43 terrorists were killed during operations (IBOs) conducted over 48 hours in KP, including 35 in North Waziristan’s Mir Ali and eight in Orakzai district. Another 31 terrorists were killed in Balochistan during an operation launched on Nov 3.

The next day, it said four troops, including a major, were martyred while 24 terrorists were killed in multiple IBOs in Balochistan and KP’s North Waziristan.