Residents of Pakistan’s tribal belt march on militant hideouts, demand peace

In a rare and bold display of civil resistance, thousands of residents from Pakistan’s volatile Tirah Valley in the Khyber district of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province marched toward suspected militant hideouts on Monday, demanding the withdrawal of armed groups and the restoration of lasting peace in the region.

The mass demonstration was sparked by an incident on Sunday in which five protesters were killed and at least 16 injured during gunfire. The victims had been part of a rally triggered by the death of a young girl, reportedly struck by a suspected mortar shell two days earlier.

The protest followed a grand jirga of the Bar Qamber Khel tribe, called amid mounting public frustration.

Tribal elders, including Zahir Shah Afridi and Kamaluddin, led thousands of men, women, and children as they marched from Bagh to the Botan area, believed to host hideouts of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Holding up copies of the Holy Quran, the protesters made a symbolic appeal to the militants to vacate the area without confrontation. Afridi stressed that the community’s demand was simple: peace. “We have risen against oppression. Even if they kill us, we will not back down,” he said.

Afridi emphasized that their movement was peaceful in nature and sought protection for civilians. “We are demanding safety from all forms of brutality whether it comes from militants or any other source,” he added, without directly pointing fingers.

Kamaluddin said that despite several days of sit-ins and peaceful protests, their concerns had not been meaningfully addressed. However, after the march reached Botan, contact was established with Taliban leaders both within the area and across the border in Afghanistan. “They assured us our demands would be taken seriously,” he noted.

He said the symbolic gesture of carrying the Holy Quran appeared to resonate. “They told us: ‘Since you’ve invoked the Quran, we will listen but we need some time,’” Kamaluddin added. On this assurance, the march was paused until August 5.

He warned that if the demands are not met by then, the protest would resume from Bagh. “They may kill us, spill our blood but we will not back down,” he vowed.

Kamaluddin did not disclose the identities of the Taliban leaders contacted or how the communication had taken place.

Afridi reiterated the community’s central demand: the complete withdrawal of all militant elements to pave the way for peace.

“In the second phase, we intend to invite a government representative to take an oath on the Holy Quran, committing to clear and lasting steps for peace,” he said.