May 4, 2026
By Islam Gul Afridi
BARA
A wave of unrest sweeping through Bara in Khyber district has shown no sign of abating. In the latest incident, a drone strike on a residential home in the Akakhel area killed a 14-year-old girl and left several women and children seriously wounded, who are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals in Peshawar. Against this backdrop, the Bara Siasi Ittehad (BSI) has announced a major protest sit-in in Peshawar on May 7.The announcement was made in a communiqué issued following a joint jirga of Afridi tribes, presided over by BSI president Hasham Khan Afridi. The gathering was attended by leaders of various political parties from Bara and Tirah, social activists, representatives of civil society organisations and unions, and local elders and notables. The protest rests on three core demands of resolving the crisis facing displaced residents of Tirah Valley, ensuring their dignified return home, and raising a collective voice against the rising tide of unrest in Bara Akakhel.
A climate of fear
Nazar Khan, head of the family directly affected by the drone strike, said the attack had plunged not only his household but the entire neighbourhood into a state of fear. He added that beyond those physically wounded, other children and women were also hospitalised due to severe psychological trauma and anxiety.Addressing the jirgah, Nazar Khan said, “If this consultation concludes that we should go to the (Taliban) militants and tell them to leave this area — because their presence is bringing drone strikes down on our homes and making us unsafe — then we are also ready to speak to the security authorities. The targeting of ordinary civilians must stop immediately.”
Nazar Khan, head of the family directly affected by the drone strike, said the attack had plunged not only his household but the entire neighbourhood into a state of fear. He added that beyond those physically wounded, other children and women were also hospitalised due to severe psychological trauma and anxiety.Addressing the jirgah, Nazar Khan said, “If this consultation concludes that we should go to the (Taliban) militants and tell them to leave this area — because their presence is bringing drone strikes down on our homes and making us unsafe — then we are also ready to speak to the security authorities. The targeting of ordinary civilians must stop immediately.”
Background to the unrest
More than five drone strikes have hit civilian areas in Akakhel alone. In January this year, thousands of families fled the remote Tirah Valley amid armed group activity and the threat of a military operation, relocating to Bara, Peshawar, and Kohat. In recent weeks, however, militant activity has spilled over into Bara itself, prompting government counter-measures — though local residents continue to report that ordinary citizens are bearing the brunt.
The deadline for the return of displaced families from Tirah Valley, set under a prior agreement, has already passed. Yet neither have the families been able to go back, nor has the government offered any assurance regarding the establishment of lasting peace.
More than five drone strikes have hit civilian areas in Akakhel alone. In January this year, thousands of families fled the remote Tirah Valley amid armed group activity and the threat of a military operation, relocating to Bara, Peshawar, and Kohat. In recent weeks, however, militant activity has spilled over into Bara itself, prompting government counter-measures — though local residents continue to report that ordinary citizens are bearing the brunt.
The deadline for the return of displaced families from Tirah Valley, set under a prior agreement, has already passed. Yet neither have the families been able to go back, nor has the government offered any assurance regarding the establishment of lasting peace.
“We have been begging for peace for four years”
Shah Faisal Afridi, former president of the Bara Siasi Ittehad and chief of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Khyber chapter, was scathing in his criticism of the authorities. He said the Alliance had been appealing to the government for peace for four consecutive years.
“We have held dozens of protests and peace marches,” he said, “but sadly, peace could not be established in our region due to the negligence and indifference of the federal and provincial governments.”
Afridi also levelled a pointed accusation at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, alleging that he was misrepresenting to the public the nature of decisions made behind closed doors. “The reality is that he himself is part of those very closed-room decisions,” Afridi charged. He held the security forces and both tiers of government directly responsible for the breakdown of law and order in Khyber District, vowing that the protest sit-in would continue until lasting peace was restored to the region.
Shah Faisal Afridi, former president of the Bara Siasi Ittehad and chief of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Khyber chapter, was scathing in his criticism of the authorities. He said the Alliance had been appealing to the government for peace for four consecutive years.
“We have held dozens of protests and peace marches,” he said, “but sadly, peace could not be established in our region due to the negligence and indifference of the federal and provincial governments.”
Afridi also levelled a pointed accusation at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, alleging that he was misrepresenting to the public the nature of decisions made behind closed doors. “The reality is that he himself is part of those very closed-room decisions,” Afridi charged. He held the security forces and both tiers of government directly responsible for the breakdown of law and order in Khyber District, vowing that the protest sit-in would continue until lasting peace was restored to the region.
Tribal council throws its weight behind the protest
Khial Zaman Afridi, chairman of the Akakhel Council, said that drone strikes, the recovery of bodies, and the cries of the wounded had become a grim routine in the area — a situation he described as no longer tolerable.
“We have collectively decided to extend our full support to the Bara Siasi Ittehad’s protest sit-in and to ensure its success by all means,” he said. “Such incidents will not be tolerated any further.”
Khial Zaman Afridi, chairman of the Akakhel Council, said that drone strikes, the recovery of bodies, and the cries of the wounded had become a grim routine in the area — a situation he described as no longer tolerable.
“We have collectively decided to extend our full support to the Bara Siasi Ittehad’s protest sit-in and to ensure its success by all means,” he said. “Such incidents will not be tolerated any further.”
Tehreek-e-Mutasireen Tirah offers conditional support
The Tehreek-e-Mutasireen Tirah — a movement representing those displaced from the valley — also announced its backing for the May 7 demonstration, though with an explicit condition. Movement spokesman Sohbat Khan Afridi said: “We, the victims of Tirah, support the protest demonstration being held in Peshawar on May 7 under the auspices of the Bara Siasi Ittehad.”
However, he drew a clear red line: “If at any point we feel that the Bara Siasi Ittehad is merely using us for political ends and is compromising on the issue of the dignified return of Tirah’s displaced people, we will immediately withdraw from this sit-in and announce a boycott. But if they speak solely for the dignified return of Tirah’s victims and the restoration of peace, we will stand firmly with them.”
The Tehreek-e-Mutasireen Tirah — a movement representing those displaced from the valley — also announced its backing for the May 7 demonstration, though with an explicit condition. Movement spokesman Sohbat Khan Afridi said: “We, the victims of Tirah, support the protest demonstration being held in Peshawar on May 7 under the auspices of the Bara Siasi Ittehad.”
However, he drew a clear red line: “If at any point we feel that the Bara Siasi Ittehad is merely using us for political ends and is compromising on the issue of the dignified return of Tirah’s displaced people, we will immediately withdraw from this sit-in and announce a boycott. But if they speak solely for the dignified return of Tirah’s victims and the restoration of peace, we will stand firmly with them.”
Jirgah at CM’s House calls for dialogue
At the provincial level, too, there was notable movement. A tribal Loya Jirgah was convened at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar, chaired by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, and attended by parliamentarians from tribal districts alongside local elders, notables, and youth representatives. Announcing the jirgah’s conclusions, the Chief Minister said the gathering had strongly condemned the killing of women, children, and the elderly in drone strikes, and that all participants had called for negotiations with all relevant stakeholders.
Meanwhile, security authorities have continued to issue official statements claiming successful operations against armed militants — yet no government statement or response from armed groups has been forthcoming specifically regarding the most recent drone strike on a civilian home.May 7 protest
At the provincial level, too, there was notable movement. A tribal Loya Jirgah was convened at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar, chaired by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, and attended by parliamentarians from tribal districts alongside local elders, notables, and youth representatives. Announcing the jirgah’s conclusions, the Chief Minister said the gathering had strongly condemned the killing of women, children, and the elderly in drone strikes, and that all participants had called for negotiations with all relevant stakeholders.
Meanwhile, security authorities have continued to issue official statements claiming successful operations against armed militants — yet no government statement or response from armed groups has been forthcoming specifically regarding the most recent drone strike on a civilian home.May 7 protest
The Bara Siasi Ittehad has confirmed that its sit-in will take place at Suri Bridge in Peshawar — situated between the Provincial Assembly and Bala Hissar Fort. A joint session of all political, tribal, and social organisations in the area has been convened to finalise the plan of action.
As political leaders and tribal elders busy themselves with preparations for the protest, thousands of displaced families from Tirah Valley wait anxiously for the chance to return home — still awaiting a government promise that, so far, remains unfulfilled.
As political leaders and tribal elders busy themselves with preparations for the protest, thousands of displaced families from Tirah Valley wait anxiously for the chance to return home — still awaiting a government promise that, so far, remains unfulfilled.