By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
LANDIKOTAL: Security forces on Monday have imposed restrictions on movement, tourism and other personal and commercial activities in several mountainous areas of Landikotal, citing security concerns, including the recent increase in terrorism and kidnapping-for-ransom incidents.
According to a public notice issued by the security forces in Landikotal, the restrictions would come into force on October 6 and apply to residents of Sultankhel, Nekikhel and Walikhel in Landikotal.
The areas declared off-limits include Walikhel-Nangrosa, the mountainous belt of Shipela, Esar and Laka Sar and the Tangah Nala and Shakri mountain areas of Nekikhel.
Residents have been directed to strictly comply with the restrictions. The notice warned that individuals violating the directives would be responsible for any untoward incident or loss of life or property resulting from such violations.
The security forces said the restrictions had been imposed in view of the prevailing security situation and the need to protect the lives and property of local residents.
The latest restrictions come amid growing security concerns in Khyber district, particularly in Landikotal, where several incidents of targeted killings, kidnapping for ransom and alleged extortion have been reported in recent months.
Political and social activists, as well as journalists working in the region, have also faced increasing pressure and security threats. Several incidents involving threats against journalists by militant groups have been reported, raising concerns about the safety of media workers operating in the former tribal areas.
Journalists and civil society representatives have called for stronger measures to protect media workers and other vulnerable sections of society amid the deteriorating security situation in the region.
From April to October 2026, four people were killed while five other injured. Two traders were abducted for ransom in Landikotal, while two journalists escaped from their hometown due to threats being posed to them.
