Gunned down: Militants kill Jina Kor elder in FR Peshawar

Malik Dawa Khan had refused to comply with extortion demands.

PESHAWAR: Unidentified militants gunned down influential tribal elder Malik Dawa Khan and his driver in Mandi Chowk, Frontier Region (FR) Peshawar on Tuesday.

Khan belonged to Jina Kor clan of FR Peshawar and had reportedly earned the ire of militants who were demanding Rs3 million in extortion money, which he had refused to pay.

After his refusal, they attacked his house two nights ago. However, Khan’s men were able to resist the assault with the help of villagers who rushed to their elder’s aid.



On Monday, the Jina Kor clan called an emergency jirga and decided that no money would be paid to militants. It was also decided that the parents of men who had joined local militant groups would be held responsible for their sons’ actions.

The jirga’s decision resulted in strained relations between the clan and militants, possibly culminating into Tuesday’s killing of Khan and his driver, Daulat Khan.

A local elder requesting anonymity said, “He was an important man for the clan as he united us against the militants. This unity proved effective when we were able to beat the militants when they attacked Khan’s house.”

Under the leadership of Dawa Khan, the Jina Kor tribe gave a tough fight to militants, he added.

Almost all wealthy maliks have migrated to Peshawar from FR Peshawar after the local Taliban established several offices in the area and began demanding money from them.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^st, 2013.