BANNU: Security forces and police continued their operation against militants in Sperka area and adjoining localities of Domel tehsil herefor the third consecutive day on Friday.

They destroyed several militant hideouts, including that of wanted commander Maulvi Naseer alias Gidarr, using explosives, and recovered the body of another militant, Asim.

Bannu DPO Yasir Afridi told Dawn that during the ongoing operation, a man was killed in a police operation as he attempted to flee the operation area wearing a burqa.

“When a police team tried to stop the man near Shagi Machankhel, he attempted to escape. He was killed in police firing,” he said.

The DPO said the man couldn’t be immediately identified.

Meanwhile, security officials and district administration held a jirga with elders of Ahmadzai tribe to ensure safe evacuation of people trapped due to the ongoing operation in the Kotka Akbar Ali Khan area.

Chairman of Dogar Umarzai Village Council Sufian Khan, who attended the jirga, told Dawn that security officials had declared that there won’t be any “formal” population displacement during the operation but the stranded civilians would be allowed movement out of the areas “as per necessity”.

He added that the deputy commissioner had promised payment of compensation to the families of three martyred people as well as four injured people.

Security officials called for the removal of wild vegetation in the area.

The elders insisted that such vegetation was cut down every year but this year, civilians were unable to access the area due to the presence of militants.

Mr Sufian said that security officials had directed the Ahmadzai tribes to help force militants to leave the area for the restoration of peace. However, the elders said that they would collectively decide about it afterward.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2026