Terrorists free 13 hostages after talks in Bannu

Bannu: In the Hathikhel area of Wazir subdivision, 13 hostages have been released following talks with local elders, according to sources on Tuesday. The villagers were taken captive by militants on Friday while relocating to safer areas in the Hathikhel region. A video shared by Dawn showed the freed individuals standing together with Nasir alias Gidarh, the militant commander of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and some local elders.

In the video, Gidarh urged the elders to stay out of the ongoing conflict. Police have yet to release any statement on the hostage release. The situation remains tense in Hathikhel and surrounding mountainous regions between militants, police, and a local peace committee. Some families are reportedly facing hardships and relocating to safer locations.

Earlier reports indicated that militants attempted to obstruct residents from leaving the area and imposed restrictions on families seeking to move. Additionally, a house was demolished after families refused to adhere to these restrictions. In Hathikhel, another faction has taken up arms against the militants and is reportedly resisting them through armed means.

Local sources claim that this group is unwilling to engage in negotiations with the militants. On Tuesday, eight suspects were apprehended during an operation targeting suspected militants in the Talgi area. Led by Bannu district police officer Furqan Bilal, the operation involved personnel from the counter-terrorism department, police, Elite Force, and security forces.

The joint effort resulted in the dismantling of militants' hideouts, aided by drone quadcopters and armored personnel carriers. Security personnel detained the eight suspects, seized a Kalashnikov, and two pistols.