KHYBER: Scores of families from Bara tehsil in Khyber district have left their homes after recent fighting between security forces and armed groups intensified, with residents citing fears of drone strikes and artillery shelling.
The displaced families belong mainly to the Sturikhel area, situated near the border between Khyber and Orakzai districts. Local sources said residents had little choice but to move to safer locations as security conditions worsened.
According to residents, villages including Meero Darra, Sal Gazai, Sawi Kot and Parrwan experienced repeated shelling and aerial strikes during both day and night, forcing families to abandon their homes.
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Several displaced residents, speaking anonymously, claimed that armed groups attempted to prevent civilians from leaving and sought to use local communities as human shields during the confrontation.
“We no longer felt safe and decided to leave our homes rather than remain trapped in the conflict,” one displaced resident said.
Residents also claimed that armed groups had recently moved into Bara from Tirah valley, where previous security concerns had triggered displacement in late 2025 and early 2026.
Local sources said clashes intensified after security forces launched intelligence-based operations in the Sturikhel area.
Most displaced families relocated to relatives’ homes within Bara, while others moved to Peshawar, where they either own homes or live in rented accommodation.
Meanwhile, a jirga of Sturikhel tribal elders met officials from the Khyber district administration to present their concerns and seek official support.
The tribal elders urged authorities to register affected families as internally displaced persons and provide assistance to help them manage the consequences of displacement.
Members of the jirga also announced plans to meet security officials in Lakar Baba village to discuss the security situation and explore measures to reduce tensions and support affected communities.
