ISLAMABAD: Four members of a pro-government peace committee were killed by militants in northwestern Pakistan’s Bannu district on Tuesday, a police official confirmed amid a surge in attacks in the area.

Peace committees in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province bordering Afghanistan comprise tribal elders who publicly oppose militant groups such as the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Members of the peace committee have long been targeted by militants for cooperating with security forces in counterinsurgency operations. These groups were first formed during Pakistan’s 2007–2014 conflict years to help defend villages and report militant movements.

The peace committee members were targeted in an area of Bannu district that falls under the jurisdiction of Huwaid Police Station, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Raza Khan told Arab News. The victims were attacked while they were traveling in a car in the morning. 

“All four were businessmen and were actively involved with the Peace Committee in efforts against the Taliban,” Khan said. 

According to a police report seen by Arab News, the deceased were identified as Naseeb Ur Rehman, Hamid Naseeb, Ziaullah, while the fourth person was identified as “Fauji.”

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in the attack, a statement by the interior ministry said. 

“All conspiracies aimed at undermining peace efforts in KP would be thwarted,” Naqvi said.

He said the nation stands united to foil the nefarious designs of the Pakistani Taliban or TTP militants, reaffirming the government’s commitment to restoring and maintaining peace in the province. 

KP has been reeling from a surge in militant attacks in recent months. A day earlier, an improvised explosive device (IED) blast killed six police officers in the province’s Tank district. 

No group has claimed responsibility for these attacks. However, the TTP has claimed responsibility for some of the deadliest attacks targeting law enforcement personnel in KP in the past. It has frequently targeted convoys of security forces, police stations and check-posts besides kidnapping government officials in the region.

Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of allowing the use of its soil to armed outfits such as the TTP. It has also alleged that India backs militant groups who carry out attacks against Pakistan. Kabul and New Delhi have consistently denied this.