Two tribal elders shot dead by unidentified armed men in Lower South Waziristan

Both men sustained multiple bullet wounds and succumbed to their wounds while the attackers fled the scene

MIRANSHAH:

Two tribal elders were shot dead by unidentified armed men in the Zarmilan area of Toi Khulla tehsil in Lower South Waziristan on Sunday, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police said.

District Police Officer (DPO) Shah Hassan told The Express Tribune that the deceased were identified as Haji Gul and Malik Badshah, both members of the Suleman Khel tribe.

He said the two men were travelling from Gul Kach towards Zarmilan when unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle near Darozanda. Both men suffered multiple bullet wounds and died at the scene, he added. The attackers fled after the shooting.

Police registered a preliminary report at Toi Khulla police station and launched an investigation into the incident. “Every aspect of the incident is being examined,” Hassan told The Express Tribune, adding that efforts were under way to identify and arrest those responsible.

The incident came amid growing concerns among residents over the deteriorating law and order situation in Lower South Waziristan. The district has witnessed an increase in targeted killings, bomb blasts, kidnappings for ransom, extortion and attacks on police and security personnel over the past one and a half years.

In recent months, tribal elders and members of their families have also been targeted, raising concerns over the security of influential tribal figures who have traditionally played a role in resolving disputes and maintaining peace through jirgas and other local mechanisms.

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In May, prominent tribal elder and chief of the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe, Malik Tariq Wazir, was among three people killed in an IED blast near Gulshan Plaza in the busy Rustam Bazaar area of Wana. Four other people were injured in the explosion.

According to reports, the blast occurred when Malik Tariq was passing through the market in a vehicle. Police said explosives had allegedly been planted near the plaza during the night and detonated in the morning.

Malik Tariq was considered an influential tribal figure in the area and had played an important role in tribal jirgas and efforts to resolve local disputes. According to a Dawn report, he had also been abducted by armed men in December 2024 but was later released following efforts by tribal elders and local mediators.

Similarly, in June 2026, two sons of prominent tribal elder Malik Jamil Wazir were shot dead by unidentified gunmen near Kari Kot Bazaar in Wana tehsil. The deceased brothers were identified as Naveed Wazir and Moeenuddin Wazir.

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According to reports, the two brothers were travelling on a motorcycle from their home towards Kari Kot Bazaar when armed men opened fire on them. Both were killed at the scene, while a passer-by was injured in the attack. The assailants fled after the shooting.

Malik Jamil Wazir and his family had previously been targeted as well. In September 2024, his vehicle was attacked with a remote-controlled bomb near Kari Kot Bazaar. The blast killed his son Shamsuddin Wazir and injured Malik Jamil and several others.

The latest attack in Zarmilan of Tehsil Toi Khulla once again raised concerns about the safety of tribal elders and ordinary citizens in Lower South Waziristan, where residents have repeatedly called for stronger security measures.

Local tribes have urged the federal government and security forces to take concrete and effective measures to restore lasting peace in the district and ensure the protection of tribal elders and residents.