In Dera Ismail Khan, Shakirullah Marwat, the sessions judge of South Waziristan district, was abducted by unidentified gunmen in the Garah Mohabaat Adda area, as reported by the police.
According to officials, Judge Marwat was intercepted by a group of 10 to 15 armed individuals while traveling on the D.I. Khan-Tank Road toward Dera Ismail Khan. Although the judge’s driver was unharmed, the assailants set fire to the judge’s official vehicle before fleeing with him.
Garah Mohabaat, situated at the border of Tank and Dera Ismail Khan districts, falls within the jurisdiction of the Hathla police station in the volatile Kulachi tehsil of Dera Ismail Khan.
While Judge Marwat is stationed in South Waziristan district, the sessions court operates from Tank due to security concerns.
Following the incident, the police arrived at the scene and initiated a search operation for the kidnappers.
Asmat Ullah Gandapur, SHO of the Manji Khel police station, informed that both Tank and Dera police were present at the scene, cordoning off the area to facilitate the safe recovery of the judge.
Residents mentioned that officers frequently travel on the Tank-Dera Road as officers posted in Tank and South Waziristan often spend nights in Dera instead of Tank.
Police officials highlighted that Dera Ismail Khan police had previously manned the spot but withdrew after an attack.
In response to the abduction, Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim convened an emergency meeting at the Peshawar High Court. The meeting, attended by senior judges and government officials, directed law enforcement to take immediate steps for Judge Marwat’s safe return.
The provincial government was reminded of its responsibility to ensure judges’ security, and officials were instructed to provide updates to the court.
The meeting was briefed by officials on the measures taken so far, including coordination with regional authorities and security agencies.
Dera Ismail Khan, the hometown of KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, has witnessed a surge in attacks on law enforcement over recent months, with several incidents resulting in casualties among security personnel.