Judge freed after kidnapping in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The Government of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), announced Monday the release of a district and sessions judge who were abducted by armed individuals two days ago in the province.

The kidnapping occurred near Tank and Dera Ismail (DI) Khan district, close to Afghanistan’s border, on April 27. As per the reports the judge’s driver was unharmed, and the vehicle was recovered.

The counter-terrorism department of the KPK Police confirmed the judge’s release, stating that he returned home safely. Barrister Saif, the spokesperson of the KPK government applauded the province’s and security forces’ successful efforts in fighting terrorism.

Earlier, the police mentioned no group claimed responsibility for the abduction. According to police official Faheem Khan, around 15 armed men on motorbikes intercepted Judge Shakirullah Marwat’s vehicle as he was heading toward Dera Ismail Khan. The assailants set the car ablaze before taking him. The driver escaped injuries in the incident.

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Pakistan has seen a rise in violence, primarily attributed to the TTP, following the group’s unilateral termination of a cease-fire with the central government in November 2022. In a recent incident, gunmen targeted customs officials in Dera Ismail Khan, resulting in two fatalities and three injuries.

With inputs from Agencies