Protesters in Pakistan Rally Against Terrorism

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Bannu, a remote region in northwest Pakistan, to demonstrate against rising terrorism in the area.

Branding the gathering a “peace rally”, the protesters chanted “terrorism not acceptable” and listened to speeches. Shots were fired at some point which forced protesters to disperse. At least six people were injured and rushed to a local hospital, local witnesses said.

The protests came after militants attacked a military base in Bannu, which is located close to the border with Afghanistan. The attack was claimed by the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, which Pakistan's military said operates out of neighboring Afghanistan.

Islamabad says it has consistently taken up the issue of rising cross-border attacks with the Taliban administration, raising tensions between the neighbors whose security forces have clashed at the border in recent years.

The rally was organized by Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), an organization working for the rights of people affected by the war on terror in Pakistan’s northwest, especially in tribal districts bordering Afghanistan.

 The demonstrators, carrying white flags, a symbol of peace, chanted slogans against the military and accused the powerful army generals of the genocide of Pashtuns.

The organizers said the protest turned violent when the Pakistani military opened fire on the crowd, resulting in casualties. Local witnesses said the shots fired during the rally forced protesters to disperse.

Led by young activist Manzoor Pashteen, PTM is known for its strident criticism of Pakistan’s powerful military for its role in alleged enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings of rights activists and ethnic leaders, as well as the alleged mistreatment of the Pakhtun community by security forces. 

Islamabad has repeatedly raised concerns about cross-border attacks with the Taliban administration in Afghanistan, exacerbating tensions between the two countries.