Families leave homes in Bara as clashes and shelling intensify

KHYBER: Dozens of families in Bara tehsil of Khyber district have left their homes in recent days after being caught in fighting between militants and security forces, according to residents and local sources.

The displacement has affected families from the Sturikhel area near the boundary between Khyber and Orakzai districts. Residents said people from Meero Darra, Sal Gazai, Sawi Kot and Parrwan villages were among those forced to move because of round-the-clock artillery fire and drone strikes.

Some of the newly displaced residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they felt exposed to attacks from both sides and decided to relocate to safer places. One displaced member of the Sturikhel tribe said:

"We felt completely insecure and decided to leave our houses instead of getting caught in the fighting between terrorists and security forces,"

Residents also told Dawn that militants tried to use civilians as human shields during the unrest. Some said armed groups had arrived in Bara from Tirah valley in recent days.

Residents seek registration and aid

According to people in Bara, most displaced Sturikhel families have moved in with relatives in the town, while others have gone to Peshawar, where they either own homes or live in rented accommodation.

Sources in the area said the latest clashes in Sturikhel began after security forces launched intelligence-based operations there. The fighting, they said, triggered the fresh movement of families out of the area.

Separately, a jirga of Sturikhel tribal elders met officials of the Khyber district administration in Bara and informed them about the difficulties faced by displaced residents. The elders asked the administration to register them as internally displaced persons and extend official support to affected families.

Jirga members also said they planned to meet security officials in Lakar Baba village, near Sturikhel, to discuss the worsening law and order situation.

Residents of Tirah valley had also been displaced in late 2025 and early 2026 amid expectations of a military operation against militants who were then present in different parts of the valley.