KHYBER: In a rare display of unity and courage, residents of Bar Qambarkhel area of Tirah Valley thwarted an attempt by a group of militants to abduct an army soldier from his house on Monday evening.

Sources in the valley said that a group of armed militants forcibly entered the house of Noor Salim, a resident of Walikhel area, and tried to abduct him at gunpoint. However, women showed resistance.

The sources said in order to scare away the women, suspected militants also fired in the air, which further aggravated the situation with inmates of the nearby houses making announcements in mosques through loudspeakers.

A large crowd then gathered at the army personnel’s house and refused to let the militants take him away, the sources said. They said Noor Salim, who was currently posted in Awaran district of Balochistan, had come to his home on leave.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2025