Pakistan army turns guns on its own citizens: Villagers protest shelling in Pakhtunkhwa

Villagers in Khar tehsil of Bajaur staged a major protest on Thursday, accusing the Pakistan Army of targeting homes and mosques during ongoing anti-terror operations in the tribal belt bordering Afghanistan.

The demonstration, held in Kosar along the Bajaur-Peshawar Highway, drew residents from Lra Banda, Shagi, Kosar, Janat Shah, Galo Kass, Gooro, and surrounding areas. Protesters, joined by political and social leaders, including members of the Bajaur Aman Jirga led by Sahibzada Haroon Rashid, blocked the highway for hours, halting traffic.

Locals alleged that heavy shelling on Wednesday night endangered families, particularly women, children, and the elderly, creating panic across villages. Addressing the gathering, leaders such as PTI’s Khalilur Rehman, ANP’s Shah Naseer Khan, and Sayed Sadiq Akbar Jan condemned the attacks, calling them a gross violation of the August 14 agreement, which had explicitly prohibited targeting civilians during military operations in Mamund tehsil.

Observers say that demonstrations against the army in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and civilian casualties in such operations have occurred before, even if they often come as a shock to those outside the region.The Pakistan Army conducts anti-terror operations in areas largely inhabited by local tribes along the Afghan border, a region long affected by conflict.

The protesters demanded that the government and military ensure the safety of civilians and their property, saying that public trust is already eroding due to repeated operations against local populations, further destabilizing the region. Residents also said the unrest has disrupted daily life and livelihoods across Bajaur.

The blockade ended after the deputy commissioner assured the Aman Jirga that civilians would not be targeted in future operations. However, locals remain sceptical, accusing the army of indiscriminate actions under the guise of counterterrorism, a practice that continues to alienate the already suffering communities in the tribal belt.