PESHAWAR, Aug 27: Internally displaced persons and political activists on Monday protested the killing of nine people in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in military offensive.Several demonstrations were staged by IDPs and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Jamaat-i-Islami and Afridi Students Union on Sher Shah Suri Road near the press club and the Governor’s House blocking the road for several hours.

Protesters held placards and banners and shouted slogans against the government over Bara military operation. They demanded end to the offensive and compensation for the affected families.

PTI leader Mohammad Iqbal, JI leader Shah Faisal Afridi, and ASU president Samiullah Afridi and elders of IDPs led their respective demonstrations. They later staged a joint protest outside the Governor’s House.

The speakers alleged that security forces targeted innocent tribesmen in Bara and such an operation would make locals into hating security forces and thus, damaging the country’s interests.

They said tribesmen were patriotic and had always rendered great sacrifices for the country’s protection but the government was intentionally made them to begin hating security forces.

The speakers said heavy shelling by security forces had killed, disabled and displaced innocent people in large numbers. They said displaced people had been spending life on the roads without shelter and food.

The speakers appealed to President Zardari, Governor Masood Kausar and Army chief General Pervez Kayani to order immediate halt to Bara operation and early payment of compensation to the affected families.

They also demanded early rehabilitation of IDPs and reconstruction of damaged roads, health and education centres, and other facilities.

During demonstrations, long queues of vehicles were seen on Sher Shah Suri Road with traffic police failing to manage traffic.