Thousands protest in South Waziristan against rising terrorism

Protesters demand that authorities restore peace in the tribal region

Thousands of locals on Friday staged a protest demonstration in South Waziristan’s Wana area against rising terrorism in the tribal areas.

According to reports, peaceful protesters holding white flags and beating traditional drums demanded the authorities to restore peace in the area.

People of Wana, Lower South Waziristan, are protesting against the resurgence of terrorism in the region. A peaceful protest is undergoing in Wana where people are chanting for peace at the traditional drum beats. More power to the people.#وانا#Wana@mjdawar @Xadeejournalist pic.twitter.com/6Ovd0Q9ArX

— Aamir Sohail (@Aamirsohail956) January 6, 2023

Reportedly, leaders belonging to different political parties including PPP, PTM, PML-N, and AWP participated in the protest, holding the government responsible for increasing terrorist incidents across the country.

They also warned the authorities that protests in the area would continue until the elimination of the terrorists from the tribal region.

PHOTO: TWITTER/@NaimatUllahWazi

Mohsin Dawar, an member of the National Assembly from North Waziristan, said in a tweet that the Pashtuns of South Waziristan came out in large numbers today in Wana to protest against terrorism “and Talibanisation in our areas”.

The Pashtuns of South Waziristan came out in large numbers today in Wana to protest against terrorism and Talibanisation in our areas. Our people refuse to be used as cannon fodder and scapegoats in the new great game being imposed on the region. #وانا__اولسي_پاڅون pic.twitter.com/uoD3qqaYlt

— Mohsin Dawar (@mjdawar) January 6, 2023

“Our people refuse to be used as cannon fodder and scapegoats in the new great game being imposed on the region,” he added.

The protest comes a day after security forces killed at least 11 terrorists, including a militant commander and two suicide bombers, in an intelligence-based operation in Wana. The military's media wing said security forces “successfully foiled a high-profile terrorist activity” during the operation.

The action came after the country’s top security body in its meeting held earlier this week had reiterated its resolve to have "zero tolerance" for terrorism in the country.

There has been a 51 per cent increase in terrorist attacks in Pakistan since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

Since then, over 420 terrorist attacks were recorded in Pakistan. In three months alone, the banned TTP claimed responsibility for 141 attacks, despite the fact that the banned militant group announced an indefinite ceasefire in June.

The TTP ended the truce on November 28, accusing Pakistan of violating the terms of engagement.