Rising militancy in Khyber: Jirga pledges support to security forces

LANDIKOTAL: A jirga of elders and influential figures belonging to the Sultankhel tribe on Friday pledged support to the security forces in the wake of growing militant activities and worsening law and order in the Khyber district.

The jirga was held at the Khyber Rifles Headquarters in Landikotal, where on the directive of the commandant Khyber Rifles. This brought together senior officials from the military, civil administration and police.

The gathering was convened following reports of increasing movement of suspicious individuals in Sultankhel and surrounding areas in Landikotal. Security officials warned that the presence and possible facilitation of militant elements posed a threat to regional and national stability.

The tribal elders, in response, expressed confidence in the security forces and assured complete cooperation. They condemned terrorism and announced a social boycott of anyone found aiding or abetting anti-state elements. The elders declared that Sultankhel tribe would not allow the use of its land for subversive purposes and would stand united to ensure peace.

The jirga was held in the wake of mounting concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Khyber district. After a few years of relative calm following military operations and the merger of the former Fata region into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018, signs of militant resurgence have started reappearing. Cross-border infiltration, reactivation of sleeper cells and targeted killings have been reported from various areas, including Tirah, Bara, Jamrud and Landikotal.Residents expressed alarm over night-time movements of armed groups and growing incidents of extortion and threats.