2023: TTP Militants Attacked Chitral

Several militants from the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attacked the border out-posts of Chitral Scouts in Bumburet and Jinjiret valleys early in the morning on 6th September 2023. The cross-border attack resulted in to the death of 5 Scout personnels while injuring 4 others.

The deaths at the Ostai post Bumburet included Lance Naik Zulfiqar Ali from Booni, Sepoy Shahzada Aurangzeb from Pardan Yarkhun and Lance Naik Sher Hayat from Shiaqotek Chitral while Lance Naik Sher Nawaz from Khuzh and Lance Naik Shakir Ullah from Drosh laid their lives at Jinjiret Koh post.

ISPR, the media wing of the Pak Army said that the troops successfully repulsed the attack, killing 12 terrorists.

The attacks were expected as building up and movement of the TTP militants a week ago was reported in Afghanistan. Large number of troops were deployed and security was tightened in the valleys. Lower Chitral police was regularly conducting search and strike operations in the valley.

(Video shows locals assisting military in supplying ammunition to forward posts)

The attack caused widespread fear in Chitral and people from all walk of lives unanimously condemned the attacks. Jamat Islami held a grand Jirga on the following day in which representatives from all segments of life participated. The Jirga issued a 12-point statement condemning the attack and suggesting ways to counter any future threat.

The attack caused a widespread uproar all over the country and abroad due to the unfortunate event spoiling the most peaceful area of the country and happening at the proximity of the internationally renowned Kalash tribe.

On 9th September, security forces killed 7 terrorists and injured 12 during a fight in Ursoon area of Lower Chitral, claimed ISPR.

Lance Naik Sher Hayat who was seriously injured in the attack and was shifted to CMH Peshawar by helicopter, scumbled to injuries on 11 September.

In the past militants had entered many border areas, including the Kalash valley of Lower Chitral, from Afghanistan and targetted Pakistani security forces and even civilians.

In October 2009, Thanasis Lerounis, a Greek teacher, was kidnapped by the Taliban while running a welfare center for the Kalash people in Brun village of Bumburate.

Lerounis had lived in northern Pakistan since the mid-1990s before being kidnapped by about twenty gunmen from neighboring Afghanistan.

*Threat reports received prior to the attack*

In August 2011, Hundreds of militants crossed the Afghan border and attacked three security checkpoints in Lower Chitral, killing 26 paramilitary soldiers and police.

In 2014, a video surfaced and was reported in mainstream media in which the Taliban threatened the Kalash tribe and the Ismaili Muslims of Chitral.

In July 2016, militants infiltrated into the Sheikhan Deh area of Bumburate and taken away about 300 goats after killing two shepherds.

With the deployment of Pakistan army along the border in Lower Chitral down to Arandu, militant infiltrations into the area from Afghanistan had stopped for many years.

Published on Khowari on 8th September 2023