Bannu, August 8: An indefinite curfew was enforced in Bannu district on Friday morning as authorities sealed all access points to the Hovid area and surrounding localities amid a large-scale anti-terror operation.
Police stated that the joint operation, based on confirmed intelligence of militant presence, is being conducted by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), local police, and security forces, with heavy deployments across the region.
Residents were ordered to remain indoors from 5 am until further notice. Officials cautioned that militants might use civilians as human shields, urging the public to keep away from suspicious individuals and relocate to safer areas if armed suspects attempt to take shelter in their homes.
Authorities warned that any person found aiding, abetting, or harbouring terrorists will face severe legal repercussions. Structures used to fire upon security forces will be demolished on the spot, with those responsible punished strictly.
The operation follows a deadly August 3 attack on the Fathakhel police post, where heavily armed militants attempted to overrun the facility. Constable Niaz was martyred in the ensuing gun battle, while three other officers sustained injuries.
Security forces killed two attackers during the firefight and a third while pursuing fleeing militants. Search operations in nearby areas are ongoing to locate any remaining suspects and their facilitators.
