The restive region of Pirdal Khel in Bannu has once again come under the grip of militancy as armed Khwarij kidnapped five employees of WAPDA .
According to officials, the PESCO staff had been dispatched to repair a technical fault in an 11,000-volt power line after a complaint was lodged. As soon as the team reached the site, heavily armed militants appeared and held them hostage at gunpoint.
The abducted employees were identified as Assistant Lineman Naqeeb-ur-Rehman, Farhad, Abdul Wahab, Javedullah, and driver Adnan. Their vehicle was found abandoned at the scene, while the hostages were reportedly taken to an unknown location.
The incident has triggered widespread concern among local communities, especially as it comes only two days after militants in the same Pirdal Khel area abducted two guards and looted 124 valuable cattle from the Military Dairy Farm.
A growing wave of abductions has fueled fear and panic across the region, with social and political circles urging the administration and law enforcement agencies to take immediate and decisive action against the Khwarij destabilizing the area.
