Two abducted youths killed in Bannu militant attack

Two young men were abducted and later killed by unidentified militants in the Domel area of Bannu on Thursday night, according to local police and eyewitness accounts, deepening concerns over rising insecurity in the region.

The victims were identified as Shafiullah and Faheemullah, both residents of the Hathi Khel subdivision. Police said the two were travelling by car when armed men intercepted them in the Painda Khel area. When the vehicle did not stop, the attackers reportedly opened indiscriminate fire, killing one of the men on the spot and injuring the other.

Militants then allegedly abducted both victims and took them to an undisclosed location. Local sources said one of the men was later executed in captivity. Their bodies were recovered the following morning from separate locations, with Shafiullah found near Umarzai Chowk and Faheemullah near Isparka Chowk.

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Residents of the area expressed grief and anger over the incident, calling on authorities to take immediate action against militant elements operating in the region. Community elders said repeated attacks have created a climate of fear, particularly among tribal families.

The Hathi Khel tribe has reportedly been resisting militant groups over the past year, during which several civilians, including young men and tribal elders, have been killed in similar incidents. Security operations have been conducted intermittently to dismantle militant networks, but attacks continue to occur.

The broader security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains fragile. According to the Annual Security Report 2025 by the Centre for Research and Security Studies, fatalities in the province rose significantly from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025, reflecting a sharp increase in violence.

Authorities have not yet issued details on arrests or identified any group responsible for the latest killings, while search operations are expected to continue in the area.