KHYBER: Tribal elders and civil society activists from Shalobar and Zakhakhel tribes residing in Tirah valley have categorically rejected formation of Qaumi Lashkar (peace committees) and village defence committees (VDCs) in order to restore peace and prevent the movement of suspected armed men in their respective areas.

The decisions were made in representative jirgas of both the tribes held separately in their respective localities of influence in the valley the other day.

Sources in valley told Dawn that participants of both the jirgas took serious exception to any demand from competent authorities for the formation of so-called peace committees and VDCs as they believed that maintenance of law and order was the prime responsibility of the security forces who had ‘abundant’ presence in Tirah valley and border regions.

Both the Zakhakhel and Shalobar tribal elders have demanded of the security agencies to fulfil their responsibilities of ensuring lasting peace in the region alongside providing foolproof security to local residents against suspect militants as incidents of target killings and extortion had surged in recent months.

Participants of both the jirgas however, forcefully rejected rumours about distribution of modern weapons among local youth by official authorities in order to help the forces in fighting armed the militants.

They said any talk of arming local youth was totally baseless as no proof could be found of any receipt of arms by local residents.

Bara Siyasi Ittehad had on July 25 held a big rally in Tirah to denounce the resurgence of suspect militants in the valley and demanded of the security forces to take ‘punitive’ measures against such undesirable elements.

Another such rally was also organised in Bara on Aug 12 with similar demands from the authorities concerned to ensure peace in the region.

Residents in Takhtaki area of Tirah valley had however complained about continued presence of armed militants, supposedly activists of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, in their area which is situated on a high altitude mountain, overlooking the main road leading to Bagh-Maidan Markaz.

They said suspected TTP armed activists regularly patrol their area after the sunset while also forcing local residents for protection against any operation by the security forces.

Local security officials however deny any permanent presence of armed militants and insisted that all the thoroughfares were regularly monitored round the clock.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2023