Thousands of protesters gathered in Bannu on Friday to demonstrate against ongoing violence in their region. The rally, dubbed a “Peace March,” turned tragic when Punjabi Pakistan Army reportedly opened fire on the crowd, resulting in multiple casualties.
At least five people were killed and dozens more were injured and the violence erupted when protestors approached a military installation, prompting the forces to open fire.
Provincial Minister of Public Health, Pakhtun Yar, confirmed the fatalities and called out the Pakistan forces of targeting protesters. “During the rally, direct shots were fired at me and the people standing near me. It wasn’t just aerial firing; the intention was to kill us,” he said.
The massive rally was organised by over ten thousands of locals Pashtuns protesting against the terrorism. The demonstrators observed a wheel jam strike, leading to the shutdown of all occupied-authorities offices as part of their protest against terrorism and the potential for a military operation in the area.
Manzoor Pashteen, leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), posted on social media platform X that Punjabi Pakistan Army had opened fire on the peaceful protest.
Prominent Baloch activist Dr. Mahrang Baloch also condemned the shooting. “The attack on the rally against terrorism in Bannu is a continuation of the Pashtun genocide that has been ongoing for several decades,” she said. “When people take to the streets to demand peace, the Army massacres them.”
This tragedy is a part of a broader pattern of exploitation of Pashtun lands and people by the Punjabi Paki establishment since 1947. This exploitation includes the extraction of mineral resources and the use of terrorism to justify military presence in Pashtun territories, resulting in security checkpoints, military camps, and forced evacuations.
The militarization has led to the abduction, enforced disappearance and extra judicial killings of many innocent youths, often unconnected to any activist activities. Journalists and PTM members face violence and death despite the movement’s peaceful stance. Furthermore, the military’s practice of laying landmines in residential areas has led to tragic incidents, with children frequently being maimed or killed by explosions.