Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [Pakistan], July 30 (ANI): The Pakistan Army opened fire on Pashtun protesters in Tirah Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Sunday, killing seven individuals and injuring over twenty others.
The protesters had gathered in Tirah Valley to demonstrate against the death of a child killed by mortar fire allegedly from Pakistani forces. In response, the soldiers reportedly began shooting indiscriminately at the unarmed demonstrators.
According to Dawn, the protesters were opposing counter-terrorism operations in the region and were shot at in the Mohmand Ghoz area of Tirah Valley, as confirmed by a provincial government official.
Sohail Afridi, Special Assistant for KP Communications and Works, referenced an incident the previous day in which a mortar shell struck a house, killing a young girl. This tragedy led residents to stage a protest outside the Frontier Corps (FC) compound. “Frustrated locals gathered at the compound’s gates, and shots were fired when the crowd approached the area,” he said, confirming reports of fatalities and injuries.
PTM Khyber, a regional branch of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, expressed profound sorrow and outrage over the violence against civilians. In a post on X, the group denounced the shooting of peaceful protesters in Khyber Tirah and Bajaur, stating that unarmed civilians—many grieving the death of a child—were attacked under the pretext of military operations and curfews. PTM questioned the state’s use of excessive force against peaceful demands for basic rights.
Pashtun activist Fazaln Ur Rehman Afridi also condemned the military operations in Bajaur and other areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing them as targeted assaults on Pashtun civilians. He accused the military, primarily composed of Punjabis, of using security concerns to justify violence. He referred to previous atrocities during the so-called war on terror that resulted in the deaths of over 80,000 Pashtuns and caused widespread destruction to homes, businesses, and livelihoods.
Afridi criticized the government’s rejection of the PTM’s peaceful demands against the resettlement of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in Pashtun regions. In a post on X, he warned of strong resistance from the Pashtun community: “Pashtuns fully understand these tactics of Pakistan to occupy Pashtun land and loot their resources. In the last so-called war on terror, more than 80,000 Pashtuns were killed by the Pakistan Army. Their houses, shops, and businesses were plundered. Pashtuns will strongly resist.”
He further stated, “Pashtuns, particularly the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, demonstrated against the resettlement of TTP in Pashtun areas, but their demands were rejected by Pakistan. Now, the Pakistan Army has started killing innocent Pashtuns again on the pretext of security concerns. Strongly condemn the brutal Punjabi military operation in Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Several innocent Pashtun children, women, and elderly are reported to have been killed and injured in indiscriminate shelling and bombing by the Punjabi Army.”
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur expressed his condolences in a statement issued by his press secretary: “The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government conveys its heartfelt condolences and sorrow over the Tirah incident and extends complete support to the deceased and those injured,” Dawn reported.
On Tuesday, the Bajaur administration enforced a three-day curfew across 16 locations in the district and launched an operation targeting militants. Bajaur District Police Officer Waqas Rafiq confirmed the action, according to Dawn.
The Deputy Commissioner enacted a prohibition on all movement outside homes, including restrictions on roads, vehicles, and all forms of traffic in the affected villages. The curfew, implemented under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, remains in effect from 5 a.m. on July 29 until 5 p.m. on July 31.
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