By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
PESHAWAR: Former Station House Officer (SHO) Abid, who was abducted by militants from Bannu a few days ago, has been killed, reliable sources confirmed on Wednesday.
The sources said that Negotiations for his release were reportedly underway between local elders’ jirgs and the Hafiz Siddiq militant group before his killing.
Sources said the former police officer had been dismissed from service a few weeks ago. Local elders and a jirga had initiated talks for his release, and both sides had agreed to hand over the abductee to the jirga. However, militant commander Hafiz Gul Bahadur opposed the decision and refused to release him.
According to sources, the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group holds personal enmity against the tribal police and has been targeting security personnel to spread fear. A few months ago, Bannu police had engaged militants in the Momandkhel Dawood Shah area, killing five terrorists despite limited manpower.
Following that encounter, the Gul Bahadur group launched several retaliatory but failed attacks on the police. Reports also suggest an ongoing power struggle between the Noor Wali and Hafiz Gul Bahadur factions in Bannu and adjoining tribal regions, while local tribes continue to resist militant influence.
