Militant factions’ rift thwarted efforts to free martyred SHO

PESHAWAR: The real reasons behind the failed efforts to secure the release of martyred Bannu SHO Abid Wazir have now been revealed.

A power struggle for influence continues between the Noor Wali group and the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group in Bannu and adjoining tribal area.

Sources revealed that local elders and a Jirga were engaged in talks with militants for the release of former SHO Abid, who had recently retired from the police department.

According to sources, the Jirga had initiated dialogue with the Hafiz Siddiq group and after several rounds of discussions, it was agreed that the abducted officer would be handed over to the Jirga. However, reports indicate that Hafiz Gul Bahadur opposed the decision and refused to release the captive.

Sources said the militants were attempting to create fear and pressurise the police force through such acts of violence. Some time ago, police personnel in the Mamandkhel Daud Shah area, despite being outnumbered, bravely confronted a large group of militants, killing five of them.

Following this successful operation, militant factions reportedly carried out multiple retaliatory attacks against the police, all of which failed. It has also been reported that a power struggle for influence continues between the Noor Wali group and Hafiz Gul Bahadur group in Bannu and adjoining tribal areas, though local tribes have been resisting these militant elements.