A family in Bannu has publicly announced its disassociation from a young man who allegedly joined the ranks of Fitna al-Khwarij more than a year ago, adding to a growing number of families in the region distancing themselves from relatives involved in terrorist activities.
The declaration was made by Gulab Khan, a resident of the Sarah Darga area of Bannu, who recounted his family’s repeated but unsuccessful efforts to persuade his son to abandon the terrorist group and return home.
According to Gulab Khan, his son disappeared approximately 14 months ago after falling under the influence of individuals linked to terrorist elements.
Speaking about the circumstances that led to his son’s departure, Gulab Khan said the young man had been married shortly before leaving home and had spent about a month with his family after the marriage. He described him as a laborer who earned an honest livelihood through seasonal work, including harvesting peaches in Swat and collecting pine nuts in local areas.
He said the turning point came when one of his son’s friends reportedly became involved with terrorist elements. According to the father, both young men subsequently joined the ranks of Fitna al-Khwarij.
Gulab Khan described the emotional and physical toll the ordeal had taken on his family. He said his wife travelled deep into a forested area in an effort to convince their son to return, spending hours pleading with him to abandon the path he had chosen.
“Only Allah knows how much his mother pleaded with him,” he said.
The father further stated that he personally visited his son despite suffering from serious health issues. He revealed that he had undergone treatment for heart complications and had two stents implanted, but still made repeated attempts to bring his son back.
According to him, brothers, relatives, elders, and members of the local community were all sent to persuade the young man, yet every effort failed.
After months of unsuccessful attempts, Gulab Khan said he finally informed his son that the family could no longer accept his decision.
“I told him that I was no longer his father and his mother was no longer his mother. If these people are now your family, then stay with them. Do not return to my house,” he recalled.
He stated that the doors of the family home have remained closed to his son ever since.
The latest declaration follows similar announcements made by other families in Bannu in recent months.
In a previous development, two families from the Mamhkhel area publicly distanced themselves from relatives who had been missing for several months and were reportedly linked to Khwarij or anti-state activities. During separate press conferences, family members emphasized that they had no knowledge of the whereabouts or actions of the missing individuals and formally rejected any involvement in unlawful activities.
Those families also expressed confidence in state institutions and pledged full cooperation with law enforcement agencies, local peace committees, and relevant authorities.
Security observers note that such public disassociations have become increasingly visible in areas affected by terrorist recruitment, reflecting growing concern among families whose relatives are drawn into extremist networks.
Analysts say these declarations also highlight the human cost of radicalization, where parents, siblings, and entire families often find themselves forced to choose between family ties and rejection of violent extremism.
Authorities continue to urge communities to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement agencies in preventing terrorist organizations from recruiting vulnerable youth and exploiting local grievances for violent purposes.
