Lawlessness: Presence of militant group sparks panic in Achini Bala village

Locals accuse police of turning a blind eye after receiving bribes from smugglers.

PESHAWAR:

The presence of a militant group has spread panic in Achini Bala village, which falls within the jurisdiction of Sarband police station.

The recent sectarian attack on a mosque has further escalated tensions, forcing residents to move to a safer location.

A group of around 30 militants roam the streets after sundown, locals told The Express Tribune on Saturday. “They are militants who infiltrate the settled territory from the adjacent Khyber Agency and use the bridge over the canal that links the agency to Peshawar,” said a local, requesting anonymity.

He claimed they have repeatedly told the police to blow up the bridge, but allege since it is also used by smugglers who bribe law enforcement agencies every month, the police were reluctant to act and close the route.

“This militant group was without a doubt involved in the attack on a Barelvi mosque because they are against shrines and Sufism,” he explained, referring to an earlier attack that claimed four lives and injured many others.

The intimidation is a tool used by militants to coerce the well-off into paying extortion money, said locals, claiming the police are least interested in addressing the matter by blocking entry points on routes leading to the city.

A local elder blamed the police, accusing them of intentionally leaving routes open for smugglers, militants and criminals, who spread fear, panic and lawlessness without attracting much attention from law enforcement agencies.

Achini village borders Shalober, Khyber Agency, which is still controlled by Lashker-e-Islam militants despite the presence of a local peace militia in the area. People blame both militants and peace militia members for kidnappings and snatching of cash and mobile phones among other crimes rampant in the locality.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22^nd, 2013.