BANNU: Seven policemen have been kidnapped by unknown armed men in the Ahmedzai area of Bannu district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The District Police Officer (DPO), Ziauddin, confirmed that the attackers took control of the Rocha checkpost and abducted the police officers. He also mentioned that a search operation has been launched to catch the kidnappers, with the area being cordoned off.
The abduction occurred after the Maghrib prayer, when a group of armed men took the policemen hostage at the checkpost. According to DPO Ziauddin, the officers were moved to an unknown location along with their weapons.
The kidnapped officers are: Saleem, Aqal Rehman, Mewah Jan, Roshan, Abdul Malik, Neematullah, and Shad Muhammad.
This incident is part of a growing number of abductions of police personnel and attacks on law enforcement in northwestern Pakistan. Earlier this month, a police constable was also kidnapped from his home in the Bakakhel area of Bannu district.
Pakistan has been facing rising militancy, especially since the Taliban’s takeover of neighboring Afghanistan. According to the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), the third quarter of 2024 saw a sharp rise in terrorist violence. There was a 90% increase in fatalities from terrorism and counter-terrorism efforts.
The report mentioned that 722 people were killed during this period, including civilians, security forces, and criminals. Over 600 others were injured in 328 violent incidents. Nearly 97% of these fatalities occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. These two provinces have seen the highest level of violence in the last decade.
