BANNU, June 30: The administration of Bannu district and the adjoining Frontier region on Saturday set a five-day deadline for the release of three abducted persons of the Mameshkhel tribe and warned the Bakakhel and Janikhel tribes that an operation would be launched if they failed to get the hostages freed.

The decision was taken at a meeting held at the DCO office, which was attended by the DPO, assistant political agent of the Bannu Frontier region, elders of Bakakhel area and representatives of the peace committee.

The DCO told the tribesmen that it was their responsibility to maintain law and order in their areas. He asked them to adopt measures to recover the kidnapped persons who were abducted a few weeks ago.—Correspondent