BANNU: Five people including a police constable were safely returned to their homes on Thursday after having been abducted in separate incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu and its surrounding areas.

According to police sources, the abducted Constable Zareen Khan — posted at Utmankhel Police Station — as well as two residents of Pathona Mamandkhel, were released and returned home safely. Their release was reportedly secured through the efforts of local elders and a tribal jirga.

Separately, a resident of Sathi Khel Sorani, who had been taken away by unidentified individuals several days earlier, also returned home safely. His family members and local residents expressed relief and happiness upon his return.

Additionally, Nisar Khan, the headmaster of Government High School Sardar Khan Mandev in Miryan tehsil, also safely returned home after being abducted from the school premises on Wednesday. Police sources confirmed his return, stating that he was in good health and reunited with his family.

The headmaster was reportedly taken away by two armed terrorists during school hours, causing concern among his family, colleagues and local community. Following the abduction, security agencies and local authorities initiated efforts to trace his whereabouts.

The safe recovery of all five individuals was attributed to the collective efforts of local elders, tribal jirga members, and law enforcement agencies. Residents expressed hope that the security situation in the area would continue to improve and that effective measures would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.

Three separate incidents of kidnapping were reported in different areas of Bannu’s Miryan tehsil last week, spreading fear and panic among local residents.

The same week, a jirga of the Mandan tribe demanded the immediate release of a youth who was allegedly abducted by two armed motorcyclists, setting the abductors a 48-hour deadline and warning of strong measures if he was not set free within the stipulated time period.

In May, the bullet-riddled body of a man who had been kidnapped four days prior was found dumped near Qismatabad Chowk in Bannu, sparking fear and concern among residents.