TIRAH, KHYBER: A protest over the alleged killing of a minor girl in the Tirah Valley turned deadly on Sunday, leaving seven people dead and several injured after violence broke out near a military installation.
The unrest began when hundreds of local tribesmen brought the body of the girl—reportedly killed in a mortar strike in the Darbar area of Peer Mela—to the Brigade Headquarters in Bagh-Maidan Markaz. The demonstrators demanded answers and accountability. However, the protest turned violent when a group of young men ignored calls for calm by tribal elders, set fire to an excavator outside the headquarters, and attempted to breach the garrison’s main gate.
In response, security personnel opened fire to disperse the crowd. According to eyewitnesses and local sources, six protesters were killed on the spot and 17 others sustained bullet injuries. One of the injured is reported to be in critical condition. Videos on social media showed flames engulfing equipment and demonstrators throwing stones before being scattered by gunfire.
Authorities Respond with Compensation and Dialogue
As tensions escalated, security officials met with tribal elders, leading to the peaceful dispersal of the remaining protesters. The local sector commander assured the elders that their grievances would be addressed. Compensation was also announced for the victims—Rs10 million for each deceased and Rs2.5 million for those injured, according to a statement from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister’s Office.
The KP government expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and emphasized its commitment to peace and dialogue. A jirga has been called to address ongoing issues in the region, and officials were directed to improve communication with local communities.
Meanwhile, MNA Iqbal Afridi and MPA Abdul Ghani staged a protest at Bab-i-Khyber in Jamrud, demanding a judicial inquiry and opposing any new military operations in the Tirah Valley.
Separate Militant Attack in Chitral
In a separate incident, two security personnel were martyred and five injured during a clash with militants in Chitral’s Arsoon village. The attack, near the Afghan border, was met with retaliation, forcing the attackers to retreat after suffering heavy losses.
