KHYBER (MNN); Hundreds of Zakhakhel tribesmen blocked the main highway leading to Torkham on Saturday and announced a series of protest measures, including self-defence patrols, after two men were shot dead in a targeted attack in the Sultan Khel area of Landi Kotal.
The protest was led by tribal elder Malak Abdullah Khan and attended by political activists, members of civil society and local residents. Demonstrators expressed anger over the deteriorating security situation and demanded immediate action against those responsible for the recent killings.
Addressing the gathering, tribal leaders announced that armed volunteers would be deployed to patrol villages and surrounding areas to help protect local residents. They also imposed a complete ban on motorcycle riding within the area, citing security concerns.
The protesters further declared that all government employees belonging to the Zakhakhel tribe would suspend their official duties until authorities took effective measures to restore peace and stability in the region.
In addition, the tribal elders announced a boycott of anti-polio vaccination campaigns and ordered the closure of both government and private educational institutions across the Zakhakhel area until further notice.
The demonstrators refused to hold talks with government officials, insisting that meaningful action must first be taken against suspected militants allegedly operating in Mazreena and nearby localities.
Concerned about growing violence, tribal leaders also advised local police personnel to avoid wearing uniforms in public to reduce the risk of attacks.
The protesters announced a fine of Rs1 million for any individual found providing information to either banned militant organisations or law enforcement agencies.
They vowed to continue the blockade of the Torkham highway until those responsible for the latest targeted killings were arrested and the area was cleared of what they described as undesirable elements.
The road closure also disrupted the repatriation process of Afghan nationals, leaving numerous vehicles carrying Afghan families stranded along the route.
During the protest, Zakhakhel elders criticised what they termed frequent raids on private homes and said local residents had increasingly taken responsibility for night-time security patrols along major roads.
The protest followed the killing of two relatives in the Sultan Khel locality late Friday night. According to police, unidentified assailants riding motorcycles opened fire on the victims outside their residence, killing both men on the spot.
Police said the attackers fled toward nearby mountainous terrain immediately after the incident. A search operation was launched in the area, but no arrests had been reported at the time of filing this report.
Officials said the latest attack was the third targeted killing incident in the area since Ramazan. In previous incidents, unidentified gunmen had also killed two police personnel and a teenage relative of a police officer in the same locality, raising concerns about worsening security in the region.
