MIRANSHAH – Tribesmen continue sit-in as talks to end protest underway; Capital march postponed
A protest sit-in in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan entered its fifth consecutive day on Friday, as local tribesmen demanded justice over a deadly quadcopter strike earlier this week. The attack, which occurred in the Hormuz area, claimed the lives of four children from the same family and left their mother and several other women critically injured.
The incident sparked widespread anger across the region, with locals decrying the strike as a gross violation of human rights. While some pointed fingers at the security forces, the military issued a statement on May 19 denying involvement, labeling the accusations as “baseless” and part of a broader disinformation campaign intended to undermine Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts.
According to the military’s media wing, an internal investigation has concluded that the attack was carried out by “India-sponsored Fitna Al Khwarij”—a term used to refer to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The statement alleged that the group, acting on foreign directives, continues to use civilian populations as shields for their terrorist operations in a bid to drive a wedge between locals and security forces.
In the wake of the tragedy, tribal elders and protest organizers have held their ground, blocking major routes in the region and bringing trade and transportation, particularly Pak-Afghan trade, to a grinding halt. The blockade has left hundreds of trucks stranded and exposed perishable goods to spoilage, with traders reporting losses in the millions.
Efforts to end the sit-in peacefully are ongoing. The district administration dispatched a traditional delegation, known as a nanawatey, comprising tribal elders, two goats, and Sufi mediators to negotiate with protest leaders. As a gesture of goodwill, the demonstrators have temporarily suspended their planned march to Islamabad until Monday.
However, Mufti Baitullah, spokesperson for the Utmanzai tribe, warned that if the government does not meet their demands by then, they will proceed with the protest march to the Capital, taking the victims’ bodies with them.
The local administration has confirmed that dialogue with tribal leaders is in progress, and an official inquiry into the drone strike has been initiated. However, the lack of clarity and transparency surrounding the investigation has further fueled frustration among locals, who continue to demand accountability and measures to prevent civilian casualties in future operations.
Social media users have joined the call for action, urging authorities to implement stricter protocols in military operations to safeguard civilian lives.
