BANNU: Police arrested six students here on the charge of carrying out social media activities for militants, official sources said on Saturday.

They said the arrests were made during a raid on a private hostel in Bannu city, with all detainees being shifted to an undisclosed location for investigation.

Sources said the arrested individuals were being questioned for promoting militant outfits through propaganda and other activities on social media platforms.

District police officer Mohammad Furqan Bilal confirmed arrests and said the detainees were being investigated.

IBO being conducted against militants in selected areas

A joint intelligence-based operation by the Pakistan Army, police and other law-enforcement agencies against militants has been under way in selected areas of Bakakhel, Miryan, Janikhel and Wazir sub-division of Bannu since July 15.

DPO Mohammad Furqan Bilal is supervising the operation, while it is being “overseen” by a brigadier of 116 Brigade on behalf of the Pakistan Army.

Security sources said the operation was being carried out under a highly coordinated strategy, with senior officials monitoring the progress.

They said that the operation comprised three phases.

In the first phase, suspicious areas were identified on the basis of intelligence information, followed by cordon and search operations. The second phase includes clearance operations, detention of suspected individuals and targeted actions against militants, while the third phase will focus on completely securing the area, eliminating militant facilitators and networks, recovering explosives and ensuring continuous monitoring.

Security sources claimed that 48 militants had been killed during the ongoing operation, while two police personnel were injured.

They added that around 60 suspects were detained in different areas but most of them were released after initial screening.

Further investigation of some individuals is continuing.

Sources also said the security and law-enforcement forces have destroyed several militant hideouts. With search, clearance and combing operations continuing, security has been tightened in sensitive areas.

They said temporary restrictions on people’s movement continued in several areas due to the operation. Mobile and internet services were also affected, troubling residents.

Officials said the district administration and relevant institutions were taking steps to provide ration, medical care and other essential assistance to affected families.

They said the security operation was meant to restore law and order, arrest wanted individuals, eliminate militant networks and prevent acts of sabotage in the future.

Officials said during the operation, mobile as well as mobile and WiFi internet services in Bannu were suspended due to security reasons, inconveniencing residents, especially students, traders, lawyers and journalists.

They, however, said that Wi-Fi internet service had been restored, while mobile signals and mobile internet (data) services would also be gradually restored.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2026