Panic gripped Masho Khel village after militants distributed pamphlets calling for a ban on the display of weapons and gatherings of more than six people.
The area’s elders told The Express Tribune militants in roam after dark and a few days ago, kidnapped a Frontier Constabulary official in broad daylight. The man, however, was later released when his family members approached the militants and negotiated his release.
“Heavily-armed militants came to the village on Wednesday evening and distributed pamphlets among residents asking them not to carry or display weapons and gather in high numbers,” said an elder on the condition of anonymity, adding the incident has caused widespread panic.
“There is no patrolling on part of the police even during the day so militants are free to roam the area,” he said. The influential and wealthy people of the village have already left for other parts of Peshawar but those who remain have to suffer the wrath of the militants and the apathy of the government, he lamented.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 23rd, 2014.
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