ISLAMABAD: In a shocking act of terrorism in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, armed militants stormed a mosque in the Sokari Hassan Khel area during Isha and Taraweeh prayers on Wednesday night and abducted three brothers who were government employees.
The incident unfolded when 10 to 12 heavily armed men, some reportedly dressed in police uniforms, entered the mosque and forcibly took the unarmed siblings amid worshippers.
The abducted brothers have been identified as Saeed Akhtar, an employee at the Commissioner’s Office, Constable Amjad Khan serving in the police, and Constable Hazratullah, also a police constable attached to a commissioner squad.
Police sources confirmed that the militants swiftly loaded the victims into vehicles and fled to an unknown location, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement agencies.
Cantt Police Station SHO Wajidur Rehman stated that the abduction targeted the brothers specifically while they were performing prayers, highlighting the militants’ audacity in violating a sacred space.
Security forces and police swiftly cordoned off the area and launched a comprehensive search and intelligence-based operation to trace the abductors and rescue the victims.
The brazen attack occurred against the backdrop of escalating militant activities in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where security challenges have intensified in recent months.
Official reports indicate that two of the abducted brothers were later found dead, with their bodies recovered early Thursday morning from Airport Road near Marwat Canal Road, close to Bannu Airport.
The third brother remained missing as of the latest updates, with ongoing operations aimed at locating him and apprehending the perpetrators.
Regional Police Officer Bannu Sajjad Khan described the kidnappers as affiliated with a militant group, vowing a full-scale crackdown to bring them to justice.
This incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with authorities emphasizing that such cowardly acts targeting civilians and security personnel during religious observances will not deter counter-terrorism efforts.
The abduction reflects a pattern of targeted violence against government servants and law enforcers in the region, aimed at instilling fear and disrupting normal life.
Security analysts note that militants have increasingly resorted to abductions and executions in attempts to challenge state authority amid sustained military and police operations.
Local residents expressed outrage over the desecration of the mosque and the safety of worshippers, calling for enhanced protection in vulnerable areas.
Authorities have assured the public that intelligence-led operations continue across the district to dismantle militant networks responsible for such heinous crimes.
The tragic event underscores the persistent threat of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, despite significant gains by security forces in recent years.
Investigations are underway to determine the exact group behind the attack, with preliminary indications pointing to banned outfits active in the region.
Police and security agencies urged citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to help prevent future incidents.
The loss of the two brothers has left the community in mourning, as tributes pour in for their service to the state.
Efforts to recover the missing brother and eliminate the involved militants remain the top priority for law enforcement.