BANNU: Residents of the mountainous and semi-tribal Hathikhel areas have complained about growing militancy and repeated security operations, which, they insist, have forced a number of families into relocating to safety.

Local sources said militants had imposed restrictions on families and asked them for money.

They said some families, who had left the area, were allegedly being asked to pay up to Rs100,000 against their ancestral homes, while families with members working abroad were reportedly being asked to pay even higher amounts.

Residents said some families were being forced either to leave the area or accept demands by militants.

Sources claimed that the houses belonging to families, who left without fulfilling the imposed conditions, had been demolished.

They also insisted that the militants demanded cash as well as a share of local agricultural produce.

Sources said some families were forced to surrender a portion of their crops, increasing their financial misery.

The rising violence in the mountainous areas has become a major concern for the local population.

On June 20, seven people were killed and three injured in separate blasts involving a pickup and a car in the Maraka Bira area of the Wazir subdivision.

Local elders said such incidents in Maraka Bira and other mountainous and semi-tribal areas of the Wazir subdivision had increased a sense of insecurity among residents and forced several families to leave their homes.

Hathikhel has a long history of offering resistance to militants, with several youth and elders being targeted and killed.

Residents said continued insecurity, targeted attacks, threats and security operations had badly disrupted life.

They said that many young people had lost employment and educational opportunities, while local business activities had also been affected.

Local elders said residents had formed an armed tribal militia or peace committee to resist militants, with its members remaining in contact with police and security agencies and resisting militants in the area.

They said the local population paid a heavy price for resisting militants, with several young men and tribal elders losing lives over the years. However, people are committed to restoring peace.

Clashes were reported between the Hathikhel peace committee and militants of late.

On Sept 15, a civilian and a woman were killed in an exchange of fire in the Ping area, according to local sources.

Last Sunday, Hathikhel tribesmen also held a jirga on Company Road in Bannu to voice their concerns over militant activities in the area. Later, a man and his son were injured in an alleged drone attack on a house in the mountainous Kharsind area of Hathikhel. They were provided first aid by Rescue 1122 and later shifted to the Khalifa Gul Nawaz Hospital.

Residents complained about a constant state of fear, saying they have been caught between financial demands and threats by militants on one hand and repeated security operations on the other.

They said several families had left homes, land, orchards and businesses for safer areas.

Residents said displaced families also feared that prolonged absence from their ancestral areas could leave their properties and agricultural land vulnerable.

Elders said sustainable peace required not only action against militants but also the safe and dignified return of displaced families, protection of their homes and land, an end to extortion and effective security for the local population.

Local sources said the security situation in Hathikhel remained tense, with tribal elders vowing to continue offering resistance to militants.

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2026