Tirah Valley. Photo: File
SHELTER:
At least five civilians were killed and seven others injured after mortar shells fired from an unknown direction hit a residential area in Chapri area of Tirah Valley, District Khyber, security sources said on Saturday.
The incident, which took place at the time of Iftar, triggered panic across the area and triggered protests by local residents demanding accountability and protection.
According to security sources, several mortar shells landed near the local population. A grenade hit a car and killed five people, including two children, while several others sustained injuries.
Initial reports had confirmed four dead and three injured, but officials later stated that one of the wounded succumbed to wounds in hospital, raising the death toll to five, while the number of injured rose to seven.
The deceased were identified as Mehran Khan, Muntazir Afridi, Khogai and Akumat – all residents of Chapri – while authorities confirmed that one of the injured later died during treatment.
The injured were initially shifted to Dogra Hospital where they received emergency medical care before being referred to Peshawar for further treatment. Some of the injured are said to be in critical condition.
Security officials said the mortar shells were fired from an unidentified location and investigations have been launched to identify those responsible.
The shelling also damaged nearby houses and properties, causing financial loss to affected families. After the incident, security in the area has been tightened.
In the aftermath, local residents staged a protest, placing one of the bodies at Khyber Chowk in Bara Bazaar and launching a sit-in. Family members of the deceased and other citizens participated in the demonstration.
Protesters said the government was “not fulfilling its responsibility to maintain peace” and demanded that “the killing of innocent civilians be stopped”.
