Curfew imposed in Jandola; School hit by drone in North Waziristan, no casualties reported
DERA ISMAIL KHAN:
A security personnel was killed in a drone strike on a checkpoint in Tank district, while three kidnapped brothers were found dead in Bannu and another drone strike hit a school in North Waziristan, officials said on Thursday.
In Tank, Naik Nadeem was martyred when terrorists attacked a security forces check post in Tank district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday night, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), KP – Dera Ismail Khan Region, said in an official statement.
According to the CTD, the attack took place at approximately 1:30 a.m. in Kiri Haider village, within the limits of the SMA police station. The terrorists described as “Fitna-Al-Khawarij” used a quadcopter to launch two explosive rounds on the checkpoint.
Fitna-Al-Khawarij is the state-designated term for the banned group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
The CTD said security forces secured the post and the surrounding area after the attack. Naik Nadeem suffered critical injuries due to the impact of the explosives and later succumbed to his injuries.
More details about any damage or possible terrorist casualties are awaited, the department said, adding that the information was transmitted late due to network problems in the area.
“Tracking and surveillance operations are ongoing,” the CTD stated.
Authorities imposed a curfew in Jandola subdivision of Tank on February 26 from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm. Officials said all movement would remain suspended during the curfew and Jandola Bazaar would remain closed.
Entry has been strictly prohibited on the Kor Qila-Khargi route to Jandola, which extends from Tank district to the South Waziristan border, including Jandola bazaar.
Authorities said only emergency travel would be allowed, subject to prior approval by police or security forces and verification of identification documents. Residents have been ordered to stop vehicles 50 meters before approaching security checkpoints and ensure that all passengers disembark. Violations will result in legal action.
In a separate incident in Bannu, unidentified terrorists kidnapped three brothers from a mosque in Sokrri Hassan Khel during Taraweeh prayers on Wednesday night, Cantt police station SHO Wajidur Rehman said.
Police said between 10 and 12 armed men entered the mosque and took the brothers to an undisclosed location.
The kidnapped men were identified as Saeed Akhtar, an employee of the Commissioner’s Office; Agent Amjad of the SDW Elite Force; and Constable Hazratullah of the SDW Commissioner Squad.
The incident sparked panic in the area, with residents urging the district administration and law enforcement agencies to ensure their immediate and safe recovery.
Early on Thursday morning, the bodies of the three were recovered on Airport Road in Bannu, near Marwat Canal Road, near Bannu Airport. The bodies were found lying on the side of the road.
Once the legal formalities were completed, the bodies were shifted to the Central District Hospital for autopsy. Police said a search operation was underway for the attackers and the third brother.
Separately, a drone attack was reported on Shamazan Kot Government High School in Miami Kabul Khel area of Tehsil Shewa in North Waziristan on Wednesday night, the district administration said.
A drone attack was reported on Shamazan Kot Government High School in Miami Kabul Khel area of Tehsil Shewa in North Waziristan PHOTO: EXPRESS
A drone attack was reported on Shamazan Kot Government High School in Miami Kabul Khel area of Tehsil Shewa in North Waziristan PHOTO: EXPRESS
Local sources said that the drone hit the school facilities; however, no victims were reported. Authorities have not released further details about the strike.
