Tribal Elder and Contractor Slain in Targeted Killings in Bannu

BANNU — A surge in targeted violence has claimed the lives of a tribal leader and a private contractor in two separate incidents in the Bannu district on Thursday, February 5, 2026. The attacks have triggered local protests and renewed fears regarding the security situation in the Janikhel and Mamandkhel areas.

Assassination in Janikhel

Malik Naseeb Khan, a prominent tribal elder, was gunned down while traveling in a vehicle in the upper Alikhel area of Janikhel.

• The Incident: Unidentified assailants opened fire on his vehicle, killing him instantly before fleeing the scene.
• Background: The deceased also served as a Class-IV employee in the provincial education department. His brother, Nawab Khan, stated the family had no known personal enmities, suggesting the motive may be linked to the broader pattern of militant-led targeted killings in the region.
• Protest: Led by Malik Mowiz Khan, members of the Janikhel tribe launched a protest immediately following the burial, demanding the arrest of the killers and a comprehensive government plan to restore peace.

Attack in Khadri Mamandkhel

In a separate engagement, a contractor identified as Bakhtullah Wazir was killed, while his relative was briefly abducted.

• The Ambuscade: Bakhtullah was traveling in a car with two relatives, Zahidullah (a schoolteacher) and Nahidullah, toward Bannu city. As the car slowed for a speed breaker, five to six armed men opened fire.
• Abduction and Release: After killing Bakhtullah, the attackers kidnapped Zahidullah and fled in the victim’s car. Zahidullah was reportedly released later that evening.
• Security Concerns: Bakhtullah had recently returned to Bannu from Peshawar, where he had relocated specifically due to safety concerns. While police mentioned potential “personal enmities,” the nature of the ambush mirrors militant tactics used in recent months.

Deteriorating Security in Bannu

These killings come amid a volatile start to 2026 for the Bannu district:

• Militant Resurgence: The area has seen frequent attacks on security checkpoints and government officials. Just weeks ago, in January 2026, security forces killed two terrorists in an IBO within the district.
• Pattern of Abductions: The brief kidnapping of Zahidullah follows a series of high-profile abductions in late 2025, where teachers and government workers were targeted by armed groups for ransom or leverage.

Local Sentiment: Tribal elders in Janikhel have warned that if the perpetrators are not caught, they will organize a “long march” toward Islamabad—reminiscent of the 2021 protests following the murder of four teenage boys in the same area.

Police have registered FIRs in both cases and are conducting search operations in the Janikhel and Havaid peripheries. 

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