At least four members of a local peace committee were killed when Khawarij opened fire on them in the Huwed area of Bannu district on Tuesday, police said.
According to police, the victims were returning from a jirga in Gulbadin Landidak area when armed assailants, lying in ambush, carried out indiscriminate firing on their vehicle. All four occupants of the vehicle died on the spot.
Police confirmed that the deceased included a father and son, identified as Naseeb and Hamid, along with two other peace committee members, Ziaullah and Fauji.
Their bodies were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital.
Following the incident, security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace the attackers. The attack has spread fear and panic among local residents.
Local sources said that the peace committee in the area had been resisting terrorist activities and was armed for self-defense, due to which the security situation has become extremely tense. Locals have also expressed serious concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation and security threats in the area.