Militants flee after standoff with police

BANNU: A standoff occurred between the police and alleged militants in the Bakakhel area in Bannu, as militants attempted to seize weapons from cops who were deputed to protect anti-polio vaccination teams.

The militants fled before reinforcements arrived, according to police sources.The incident took place at a Basic Health Unit from where the anti-polio vaccinators were being sent to the field. The police guarding anti-polio teams took defensive positions and alerted the control room and Bakakhel Police Station upon spotting a large group of armed militants.As Quick Response Force units and additional police reinforcements from various stations rushed to the scene, the militants fled the area.