New Delhi
The militants of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), who escaped from the Bargain police station in the Lakki Marwat area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, are seeking an air passage to Afghanistan in exchange for nine army officials whom they have taken captives.
The TTP militants have taken over the compound of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Bannu in an attack.
In a video message posted on Twitter that features a Subedar Major of the Pakistani Army in their captivity, the masked gunmen are claiming they have eight more jawans. The group of gunmen asked the Pakistani authorities for providing them free passage, preferably by air, for 35 of the freed militants.
In the video, the captured Army official is identified as Sub Maj Khursheed Akram. He is bleeding from his head and has a bandage over the injury.
The gunmen are threatening to kill all the captives if the Pakistani army does not ensure free passage to them.
This is the video released bt Shiffa Z Yusufzai on Twitter:
BREAKING: Militants infiltrated into Bannu Cantt, reached Counterterrorism Department compound, freed imprisoned highly-wanted terrorists after taking hostages. Pak Army troops were dispatched immediately. Residents asked to stay indoors. pic.twitter.com/jPGZQZBEOd
— Shiffa Z. Yousafzai (@Shiffa_ZY) December 18, 2022
Security forces are on high alert and claimed to have launched an operation to round up the escaped militants.
Internet services have been suspended in Bannu and the roads leading to and from the Bannu Cantonment have been blocked, the reports said.
Key roads in the area have been closed for all sorts of traffic movement.
On Sunday, four police personnel were killed and as many others were wounded in an overnight terrorist attack on the Bargai police station in the Lakki Marwat area.
Terrorists launched an armed assault on the police station from two sides. A fierce exchange of fire took place between the police and the outlaws that left four policemen dead and as many injured.
The attackers escaped after the assault. Police have launched a search operation in the area for the saboteurs.
The law-and-order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has gone south over the last few weeks as an increase has been noticed in threats and attacks on security forces as well as high-profile political personalities.
According to a The News report, the police are on high alert across the province after the recent spike in attacks in areas including Peshawar, southern districts, and the Mardan region. The publication, citing a source, said: "Apart from the police, senior politicians have complained of receiving threats. The houses of some of them have also come under grenade attack."
Provincial spokesperson of the Awami National Party (ANP) Samar Bilour has also shared that their provincial president Aimal Wali Khan had received a call about a plan of attack on his life.
The wave of terrorist attacks has risen across the province in the last few months, the report said. At least 118 terrorist incidents were reported in KP from mid-August till the last week of November, according to official numbers.
At least 26 policemen, 12 personnel of other law enforcement agencies, and 17 civilians were killed in terror incidents across the KP.
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Moreover, 18 policemen, 10 civilians, and 37 law enforcement agencies personnel suffered injuries in these attacks, Geo News reported.