Four construction workers, including a foreman, and their driver were abducted in the Jani Khel area of Bannu District, according to local sources. The incident occurred four days ago when the victims were returning from work in the evening in a pickup truck.

Insha Allah Khan, a resident of Gundi Khan Khel village, reported that the foreman, identified as Arshad Khan, along with three other labourers – Munib Khan, Atta-ur-Rehman, and Safeerullah Khan – were abducted by unidentified armed men.

The driver, whose name has not yet been released, is said to be from Shah Toora Takhti Khel village in Lakki Marwat. The workers were employed by a contractor identified as Syed Zahir Shah.

Speaking to Khabar Kada, Shah confirmed the kidnapping, but declined to comment further, citing his involvement in an ongoing tribal jirga aimed at securing the release of the hostages.

Efforts by tribal elders to negotiate the release of the abducted men are currently underway. Sources within the Gundi Khan Khel jirga, which is currently underway, report that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of Rs20 million for the release of the hostages. Filming or photographing the jirga is prohibited. 

The authorities have yet to comment publicly on the incident.