Getting pretty wild reports from Bannu right now. If these reports are to be believed, a bunch of jihadi militants who were in police custody have broken free, taken hostages and are currently controlling an area in the security compound. There are also casualties. #Pakistan
https://twitter.com/Natsecjeff/status/1604442943729070081
Several policemen are hurt and taken hostage by jihadi militants. Some additional security forces have also reached the area. #Bannu
This could turn really bad really fast.
The jihadi militants, some of them really dangerous folks, were being kept at Counter-Terrorism Dept HQ in Bannu Cantt area when they broke free and took hostages. Absolutely wild. #Pakistan
https://twitter.com/Natsecjeff/status/1604447843720257536
Multiple policemen are dead, I'm hearing....
Pakistani security forces have surrounded the Bannu cantonment and residents are being told to lock themselves indoors. Several armed jihadi militants are on the loose. #Pakistan
It seems the jihadi militants are in control of the entire office of Counter-Terrorism Dept and they have also released other prisoners. #Bannu
Intense gunfight taking place between militants and security forces. #Bannu
Someone just brought this to my attention. A pro-TTP account had tweeted this four days ago. #Bannu #Pakistan 
Posting the video here, just in case.
As per sources, the militants involved in the hostage situation in Bannu asked for safe passage to Afghanistan. I wonder why that is? Maybe they feel very safe and welcome in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan? #Pakistan
This image is circulating online with the claim that it shows militants holed up inside the CTD compound with hostages. If this image is really authentic (it doesn't show up on reverse search on my app), it means that the militants are using internet inside the compound. #Bannu
As per some sources, there are over two dozen militants and over a dozen hostages inside the compound. The security op is ongoing. #Bannu #Pakistan
Multiple reports from Bannu confirm that the CTD compound was attacked by militants from outside, after which the raiding party of militants joined up with their fellows who were under interrogation inside. Nuts. #Pakistan
https://twitter.com/Roohan_Ahmed/status/1604471007212756994
BREAKING:
Jihadi militants holed up inside CTD HQ in Bannu, Pakistan release video featuring hostage Sub. Major Khurshid Akram. Militants saying they are 35 in number & holding 8-10 hostages, who will be killed if they aren't allowed safe passage to Afghanistan in 10 mins
Jihadi militants holed up inside CTD HQ in Bannu, Pakistan release video featuring hostage Sub. Major Khurshid Akram. Militants saying they are 35 in number & holding 8-10 hostages, who will be killed if they aren't allowed safe passage to Afghanistan in 10 mins
In the video, the militants can also be heard saying that if they are allowed safe passage to Afghanistan, they will release the hostages. One of them is also saying that he had a dream about this attack last night. Well, damn. #Bannu #Pakistan
https://twitter.com/Natsecjeff/status/1604473876062142464
As expected, negotiations have started between militants and authorities. #Bannu #Pakistan
https://twitter.com/Roohan_Ahmed/status/1604480817870290945
Best of luck to Pakistani security forces. Terrorism is unacceptable *everywhere*.
https://twitter.com/shemrez/status/1604493949401722881?t=60iv7oI1MbHanSJPsyg9dw&s=19
If this is true, it would make sense, since we know the militants were using the internet to send out videos via social media + likely to communicate with fellow militants. They should have suspended cellular and internet networks way earlier. #Bannu
https://twitter.com/shemrez/status/1604501350926221315?t=Kr89AFiUDUA_W5KIp55EOA&s=19
Update on Bannu
Another video from CTD compound in Bannu, believed to be filmed by militants earlier this evening, now circulating on social media. Already shared by several Pakistani accounts. #Pakistan
The hostage situation in Bannu is still active and there seems to be a deadlock in negotiations since Pakistani state is so far refusing to accept the demands of the militants. At least two policemen were killed at the beginning of the attack. The rest is unclear.
TTP has released an amusing statement on the Bannu hostage situation. It admits that most of the militants belong to TTP but goes on to clarify that TTP doesn't need to use Afghanistan's soil and the militants can also be shifted to Waziristan. It also warns against a military op
A third video of militants holed up at the CTD HQ in Bannu surfaces on social media. Unclear when exactly this was recorded. #Pakistan
https://twitter.com/aamajnews_EN/status/1604747550158123008?t=wmb50EBpdFe_SGkjY6hmBg&s=19
4th video of militants holed up inside CTD HQ in Bannu has now surfaced on social media. Now the militants are changing narrative, bringing it closer to state's version. He says there was no external attack, only a prisoner revolt, and they want to go to South Waziristan, not AFG
Can't confirm the caption with these images, but still interesting. #Bannu #Pakistan
https://twitter.com/JTvOffcial/status/1604782187252838400?s=20&t=iUMJITGNp_yJOgDd5PfSGA
TTP commander Zarar, who is the leading militant responsible for Bannu hostage situation, joined TTP along with his loyal fighters in January 2022. #Pakistan
https://twitter.com/Natsecjeff/status/1480086387315597312?s=20&t=u2kZOnuuWpTFwktMCMODJw
Some new images from Bannu. #Pakistan
Educational institutions will remain closed in Bannu tomorrow, as per this notification. It appears the Pakistani state is seriously considering an operation against the militants holed up inside the CTD HQ. #Pakistan
TTP's Umar Media just released a 6 minute 11 second video on the #Bannu hostage crisis, along with video messages from TTP's deputy emir Mufti Muzahim & leader of hostage-takers identified as "Mujahid Zarrar". #Pakistan
Source: Following the first video of militants inside CTD HQ in Bannu where they said they want to go to Afghanistan, there was disappointment among the leaders of both TTP & Afghan Taliban. They conveyed msg to the Bannu group to change their statement.
https://twitter.com/Natsecjeff/status/1604767363433484289
Source: A senior leader of the Islamist group JUI-F was requested by the state to help negotiate with the militants in Bannu. But the leader categorically refused to aid the state, saying that while he cannot trust the militants, he also can't trust the state. #Pakistan
Statement by @StateDeptSpox on the Bannu hostage crisis in Pakistan
BREAKING:
Police sources confirm that an operation has been launched to free hostages from Taliban militants holding up a counter-terrorism department facility since Sunday in Bannu. #BannuAttack #Pakistan arabnews.pk/node/2219071/p…
Police sources confirm that an operation has been launched to free hostages from Taliban militants holding up a counter-terrorism department facility since Sunday in Bannu. #BannuAttack #Pakistan arabnews.pk/node/2219071/p…
BREAKING:
Pakistani security op against militants holding a counter-terrorism facility in Bannu is ongoing. Black smoke seen rising from the facility. This could result in a massacre of hostages. Gunfight ongoing. #Pakistan
Pakistani security op against militants holding a counter-terrorism facility in Bannu is ongoing. Black smoke seen rising from the facility. This could result in a massacre of hostages. Gunfight ongoing. #Pakistan
Medical emergency declared in Bannu hospital. #Pakistan
Bannu. #Pakistan
Bannu. #Pakistan
Bannu. #Pakistan
Bannu. #Pakistan
Bannu. #Pakistan
Multiple loud explosions heard some minutes ago from the counter-terrorism facility in Bannu. #Pakistan
Pakistani security forces also using surveillance drones to monitor the area during the operation in Bannu. #Pakistan
Bannu, Pakistan
Bannu, Pakistan
BREAKING:
Pakistani media reporting that all the militants present inside the CTD facility in Bannu have been killed. Situation of hostages unclear. #Pakistan
Pakistani media reporting that all the militants present inside the CTD facility in Bannu have been killed. Situation of hostages unclear. #Pakistan
Report: At least 6 militants killed, 6 commandos wounded in Bannu security operation. #Pakistan
https://twitter.com/ShabbirTuri/status/1605129861424562176
TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud in his audio message congratulates TTP hostage takers in Bannu police station, and urges them to die fighting but never surrender to the Pakistan Army.
https://twitter.com/SAMRIReports/status/1605110384607862784?s=20&t=OQ_gCe2a37c55P-f5FGyYQ
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