MIRAMSHAH: Residents of Mirali, the second biggest town in North Waziristan, continued their protest for the second day on Monday against surge in the incidents of targeted killings in the region.

Protesters on Sunday blocked the intersection in the centre of the town after three people, including the son of former MNA Maulana Muhammad Dindar, were killed in Mirali and Miramshah over the weekend.

Frequent attacks sparked unrest in the region where at least 10 people have been killed over the last one month. Not a single suspect has so far been arrested.

Witnesses said that announcements were made in Mirali and its surrounding villages through loudspeakers, asking people to take part in the protest. Residents said that around 3,000 people had blocked the intersection.

According to bystanders, the protesters were demanding action against unidentified killers. “Targeted killing of people has become a challenge for security forces,” said one speaker while addressing the protesters. People had voluntarily handed over their weapons to security personnel during Zarb-i-Azb military operation, he said, adding that frequent incidents of targeted killing had placed a question mark over the force’s efficiency.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2018