On lockdown: Sheikhan village under curfew after militants threaten to attack

Police officials claim the imposition is for the safety of civilians.

PESHAWAR: A night-time curfew was imposed in Sheikhan village which borders Akka Khel, Khyber Agency after militants threatened to attack the police outpost Tuesday night.

Police officials said announcements were made from mosques asking people to stay inside their houses or else violators will be shot on sight. Police also erected barriers on roads to stop the possibility of militant incursions.



On Tuesday evening, militants threatened law enforcement personnel repeatedly, compelling them to impose a curfew in order to protect civilian lives, an elder told The Express Tribune.

He said militants frequent the area and elders  requested them not to attack police posts in broad daylight as people going about their day could get hurt.

He shared insurgents have increased their activity in border villages like Sheikhan over the past few months. Since Tirah Valley was recaptured by security forces, militants have fled to places such as Bara and Akka Khel which are in proximity to the settled areas.

“They (militants) are sending us letters to get rid of a woman for her ‘bad character’; to kill her or hand her over to the insurgents.” According to the elder, the exemplary peace of their village was long gone and residents were now living in a state of a constant worry.

Police stated the curfew was imposed to preempt a possible attack on civilians.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2013.