Featured Image: Security forces in North Waziristan
In another case of aid workers being targeted and murdered, four women were killed by Islamic jihadists on Monday (22 February) in the Mirali area of North Waziristan. North Waziristan is a district in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province
The aid workers were ambushed by two gunmen as they were driving through a village in the North Waziristan district. This particular area in Pakistan is infamous for the targeting of aid workers. Many men and women who are involved in polio vaccination in the area have been killed by militants.
According to local police chief Shafiullah Gandapur, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack so far but it was surely an act of terrorism. Gandapur said that the murdered aid workers were affiliated with a programme run by a local institute to develop household skills for women who are oppressed and live under puritanical Islamic law.
A search and strike operation has been initiated in the Mirali tehsil to arrest the terrorists.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan condemned the attack and tweeted, “HRCP condemns the killing of four women social workers in #NorthWaziristan. The state must bring to book the perpetrators of this heinous crime. The re-emergence of terror groups in the area is a matter of grave concern.” They also tweeted, “It is the responsibility of the authorities to protect the lives and property of citizens at all costs. HRCP shares the grief of the families and colleagues of the four women who lost their lives.”
HRCP condemns the killing of four women social workers in #NorthWaziristan. The state must bring to book the perpetrators of this heinous crime. The re-emergence of terror groups in the area is a matter of grave concern. 1/2
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) February 22, 2021
Pakistani-Canadian activist Terek Fatah tweeted, “How long will Muslims kill Muslims to fulfill their centuries-old lust piety via bloodshed?”
Four Pakistani female social workers shot dead by unknown gunmen in #Waziristan. How long will Muslims kill Muslims to fulfill their centuries-old lust piety via bloodshed? https://t.co/lI6atMTMsr pic.twitter.com/mO4sCCZxaX
— Tarek Fatah (@TarekFatah) February 22, 2021
Pakistan has the rare distinction of being one of the few nations where people still suffer from polio. This attack could further complicate matters if and when the COVID vaccination drive takes place in this region, where the Taliban has a very strong presence.
Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.