Thousands of tribal residents from Tirah tehsil of Khyber tribal district have launched a sit-in protest, demanding that terrorists allegedly arriving from Afghanistan vacate the area to restore peace and stability.

The mass demonstration began early Monday morning as around 8,000 members of the Bar Qambarkhel sub-tribe of the Afridi clan marched toward Bhutan in Tirah — a region near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The protesters, including men, elders, youth, and even children, staged a peaceful sit-in in front of suspected militant hideouts.

Holding copies of the holy Quran and other sacred texts, the protesters urged the terrorists to consider the suffering of local communities and voluntarily leave the area. Protesters stressed that their aim was not to incite conflict but to appeal for the return of peace.

'Go back, restore our peace'

"Since you people have come here from Afghanistan, peace and security have become a problem," one protester told local media. "Either the terrorists themselves initiate violence or the state launches operations against them — both scenarios are destroying our lives."

The protest was the result of a decision made during a tribal jirga held on Sunday. Community leaders say the presence of terrorists has led to widespread insecurity, economic hardship, and disruption of daily life.

HRCP condemns violence, calls for inquiry

Tensions escalated following the tragic death of a minor girl, allegedly killed in a mortar strike linked to the ongoing conflict. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed deep concern over the situation.

In a statement issued on Monday, the HRCP said: “HRCP deplores the loss of life in Tirah, Khyber district, where a protest over the killing of a minor girl, allegedly in a mortar strike, escalated into violence, resulting in several deaths and injuries. We condemn the use of lethal force against civilians and urge an immediate, transparent judicial inquiry into the incident.”

While reaffirming the right to peaceful protest, the HRCP cautioned against violent demonstrations and called for a rights-based approach to address long-standing grievances in the tribal areas.

“The situation in Tirah underscores the urgent need for accountability, clear communication and a rights-based approach to security and conflict resolution in the region,” the statement added.