Persistent assault: Kalash Valley suffers third attack in as many days

Livestock stolen once again as fear grips the area; no casualties reported

CHITRAL: Suspected militants from across the border in Afghanistan attacked shepherds in Bareer Valley of Drosh tehsil, Chitral district, for the third consecutive day, increasing the unprecedented sense of fear already surrounding the region.  However, there were no reports of casualties in the area that falls in Kalash Valley.

Wazirzada, an elder of the Kalash community, told The Express Tribune security forces personnel rushed to the site after reports of a third attack in as many days. The suspected militants, he said, were forced to flee. However, he urged the relevant authorities to take more permanent measures to repel such an assault in future.

“We, the people of the Kalash community, are the target of these attacks,” he said. He added two shepherds were brutally slaughtered on Friday and their livestock was snatched. A day later, livestock was stolen again. A police official in Chitral told The Express Tribune the suspected militants stole around 700 animals in Saturday’s attacks, while the total number is between 2,400 and 2,500. Most of the animals are goats and sheep.



Responding to a question, Wazirzada said he was satisfied with the efforts and arrangements of the government and law-enforcement agencies. However, he added such incidents created an unprecedented sense of fear and unrest among the locals. The community member revealed most locals were feeling unsafe even within the four walls of their home. He was forced to recall similar attacks on people of the valley some three years ago.

Both he and officials claimed that suspected militants were entering through the snow-covered mountainous bordering regions of Chitral from Afghanistan. “They might also be elements from banned militant outfits. A couple of days ago, people from all over the Kalash community alleged links of certain people with militants, causing widespread unrest amongst people of all three valleys.”

On the hand, senior civil officers, including Additional DC Abdul Ghaffar and security forces officials, visited the area on Sunday. They ordered the police personnel and other law-enforcement agencies to fulfil their responsibilities to protect the lives and properties of people.

On Saturday, the suspected militants also attacked the shepherds in Bareer valley. Just a day before that, militants entered Bumboret Valley of Kalash from the Nooristan region of Afghanistan. They abducted two shepherds along with 300 livestock. The kidnapped men, both from the Kalash community, were slaughtered a short distance away.

“The situation is being closely monitored” a security official said. “We have taken serious notice of the incident.” He added security measures were taken at the border.

It is believed the real purpose behind such attacks is to force the people of the Kalash community to abandon their homes and hamlets. Others said the attack occurred on a day when Shandur Polo Festival was to be held to promote a softer image of the region. Some viewed the attack with a great deal of scepticism.

As soon as word of the incident spread, the relevant authorities in Chitral asked for additional security measures. Regardless, the daily occurrence of such events has spread fear among residents who now worry for their lives and property.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2016.