BAJAUR: Residents on Saturday staged a protest against the killing of a child during a clash in the Smasai area of Khar tehsil in Bajaur.

Residents of Smasai and its adjacent areas participated in the demonstration in the Rashkai area along the main Bajaur-Peshawar Highway. The demonstrators blocked the road for several hours, disrupting traffic. Scores of political and social activists also joined the protest.

The protesters said an exchange of fire between security forces and militants took place in the Smasai area early Saturday, leaving the child dead. They said the armed clash, which continued for some time, caused panic among residents, as several houses also came under fire.

The victim was identified as five-year-old Onis Khan.

Bajaur Amn Jirga chief Sahibzada Haroon-ur-Rashid, Awami National Party’s Gul Afzal Khan, Ubaidullah Khan Salarzai, Behrooz Khan, Khan Badshah, Imran Mahir, Mian Habib Gul and others addressed the demonstration. Expressing concern over the incident, they said it was not the first of its kind and warned that the people of Bajaur would not remain silent any longer.

The funeral prayer for the slain child was offered later on the road. Later, the protesters dispersed peacefully.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2026