Alleged militant commander killed in Bannu as bridge bombing attempt is foiled

BANNU: An alleged militant commander and two other men were killed in separate incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, while an attempt to blow up an important link bridge was also thwarted, according to local sources and the Police Peace Committee.

The Police Peace Committee said Shahid, son of Mir Khatam and a resident of Wali Noor in Jani Khel, was killed near Kangar Bridge during an operation carried out on Friday night. It said the deceased was a close associate and facilitator of militant commander Akhtar Muhammad and had allegedly been involved in multiple terrorist activities.

In another incident, two bodies were found on Domel Link Road. The deceased were later identified as Ghazi Marjan and Parvez, both residents of Wanda Sarai Naurang in Lakki Marwat district. According to reports, the two men had allegedly been abducted and later killed by militants. Police started an investigation into the case.

Bridge targeted with explosives

Militants also tried to destroy the Teri Ram Bridge on Miryan Road using explosives, local sources said. The blast caused partial damage to the bridge and also affected a nearby mosque building. No casualties were reported in the incident.

Authorities initiated investigations into the separate incidents, while security arrangements in the area were tightened further.

Recent violence in Bannu

Bannu district has seen repeated security incidents in recent months, with both civilians and local security personnel coming under attack amid a wider rise in militant violence.

Last month, at least two police personnel and two civilians were martyred, while 25 terrorists were killed in a fierce clash involving law enforcers, a peace committee and militants. Earlier, on May 9, at least 15 police personnel were martyred in a suicide attack on the Fateh Khel police post in Bannu.

The violence in the district has also included attacks on police and jirga members, prompting targeted operations by police and other security forces.