SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: A jirga of Ahmadzai Wazir tribe held in Raghzai area of Birmal tehsil here on Friday said that the security forces’ action against militants was resulting in collateral damage.

The participants asked the security forces not to resort to ‘indiscriminate’ fire while responding to militant attacks on checkposts as such actions often resulted in killing and injuring of civilians, including children and women, and damaged houses.

Hundreds of tribal elders, including Pashtun Qaumi Jirga member Malik Gul, Mohammad Wazir, prominent social worker Taj Wazir and Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement district coordinator Shahzad Wazir, were in attendance.

The participants said the tribal elders had helped the security forces purge Lower South Waziristan of foreign terrorists in 2007, leading to establishment of ‘lasting’ peace in the region. However, they regretted that terror had returned to the merged districts over the last two years.

The participants said the security forces should avoid using heavy weapons, which terrified people and often resulted in injuries to civilians. They said the security forces should consult tribal elders before launching any action against militants. They warned if the security forces did not stop firing at night, the people of Lower South Waziristan would be forced to protest.

Meanwhile, the security forces repulsed an attack on the Zarmelan FC post in Toi Khullah tehsil of Lower South Waziristan on Friday night.

The attack occurred near the Pak-Afghan border. Sources said three attackers were injured when the security forces retaliated. However, the attackers escaped to Gardavi area of Zhob district of Balochistan.

The sources said exchange of fire between the security forces and militants continued for several hours.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2024