LANDI KOTAL: Scores of tribal women came out on roads in Jamrud subdivision of Khyber on Tuesday to protest arrest of dozens of local tribesmen in a search operation.

Angry women blocked the main Peshawar-Torkhum highway for more then two hours during which traffic of all types remained suspended.

They staged a sit-in on the main road and also placed stones and bricks on it while chanting slogans for early release of their relatives.

The protesting women said the security forces entered their houses without any prior notices and arrested their male relatives, whom they claimed were innocent.

They also chanted slogans against the officials of local administration and Khasadars who had gone to the spot to persuade them to end their protest.

Security forces rounded up more then 30 suspects during a search operation in Spera area of Jamrud where an explosive device planted on a roadside went off on Monday during their routine patrolling. The blast did not cause any damage.

The security forces then cordoned off the entire Sepra area and conducted a search operation.

Later, the women ended their protest after assistant commissioner Asmatullah Wazir gave them assurance about the early release of their relatives.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2018