The security situation in Bannu division turned tense on Wednesday after four labourers working on a gas pipeline were abducted in broad daylight and, hours later, the same line was severely damaged in a powerful explosion.
Police officials said the incident occurred in the jurisdiction of Haved Police Station, where unidentified gunmen intercepted the workers near Nala Tochi and forced them away at gunpoint. The abductees were identified as Rahim, son of Toor; Muqeem, son of Naseer Shah; Younas, son of Saifur Rehman; and a tractor driver, who were taken to an undisclosed location.
Later in the evening, assailants planted explosives along the pipeline at Hashim Korona, a section that carries gas from North Waziristan to Punjab. The blast tore through the facility, causing a massive leakage of gas and sparking fear among nearby residents as a loud explosion reverberated across the area.
Authorities rushed to the site and cordoned off the location while technical teams began assessing the extent of the damage. “The matter is under investigation, and efforts are being made to trace and apprehend those behind the abduction and sabotage,” officials said.
The back-to-back incidents have once again raised concerns over security in the volatile region, where militants have in the past targeted infrastructure and personnel linked to development projects.
