Police Peace Committee in Bannu launches operation against militants

BANNU: The Police Peace Committee in Bannu on Saturday announced an operation named Operation Revenge of the Martyrs amid a worsening security situation and continued militant violence in the district.

The announcement came during a large protest gathering at Police Lines Bannu, where committee members reviewed the law-and-order situation, steps related to counterterrorism, and the need for public cooperation.

Addressing the meeting, Peace Committee President Hazrat Ullah said action against militants would continue with

full force

and said the blood of police martyrs would not go unavenged. He said protecting life and property was a joint responsibility of the police and the peace committee, adding that all available resources would be used for that purpose.

Committee outlines decisions

The meeting reiterated that the public should support police efforts to restore durable peace in the district. It also warned that militants and those facilitating them would face indiscriminate action.

The committee further said hujras and houses allegedly being used by militants would be taken back, while people suspected of having links with militants would be asked to explain their position.

Participants also decided that the committee would remain completely non-political. They said members of the public would be able to lodge complaints with the committee regarding police conduct so that immediate steps could be taken to address them.

Committee leaders repeated their resolve to continue operations until militants were completely eliminated and said every possible step would be taken to restore peace in the district.

Operation said to be under way

After the meeting, the committee reportedly began operations in different parts of Bannu and claimed that several militants had been killed. The operation is continuing.

Police officials, however, had not issued any formal statement regarding the committee by the time of the report.

Bannu has witnessed repeated security incidents in recent months, with civilians as well as local security personnel coming under attack as part of a wider rise in militant violence.

Violence in the district has included attacks on police and jirga members, leading police and security forces to carry out targeted operations in different localities to disrupt militant networks.