Ethnic terror

Brutal murders of six barbers in North Waziristan expose extent of lawlessness in border region

The brutal murders of six barbers in North Waziristan expose the extent of lawlessness in the border region. The killings of the barbers — all hailing from Punjab — came shortly after security forces killed four terrorists. It is upsetting that even on days security officials help avert attacks, the news is subdued by other, ‘successful’ attacks.

As no group has taken responsibility yet, there is still debate over who was behind the attacks. Baloch separatists are the most prominent terror groups known to regularly attack Punjabi migrants, but they usually do not operate too far outside the restive province. The TTP are more likely candidates, since the attacks took place in an area that, at their peak, the group had significant influence over. There is also speculation that the fact the victims were all barbers may be why they were potential targets for the TTP — the terrorist group had previously tried to effectively ban the profession in areas under its control or influence by placing restrictions on the types of acceptable haircuts and beards, while using physical violence against barbers and customers for hairstyles deemed too snazzy.

But the debate over responsibility should still be secondary to the fact that the attack ever happened — six young men who had moved to the area looking for honest work were kidnapped and shot dead. The state failed to create the circumstances that would allow them to earn a living in their hometowns, and now, it has not even been able to help their families repatriate their bodies for burial, instead offering only to bring the bodies to Bannu, where they will be buried if not collected soon. After failing in its responsibility to keep the barbers safe, the government is not even willing to take responsibility for letting their families see them one last time for proper goodbyes.

This incident is also analogous with the country’s current conditions — economic insecurity is driving people to risks to seek a better life, while the state is unwilling or unable to even fulfil its most basic responsibilities towards citizens.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2024.

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