3 activists of Pakhtun group killed, over a dozen injured

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): At least three activists of the Pakhtun Tribal Movement have been killed and more than a dozen others wounded in gunfire at a sit-in the tribal region of North Waziristan.

PTM lawmaker Mohsin Dawar, who jointly led the protest with Ali Wazir, denied his group had opened fire. Instead he blamed the Army for initiating violence.

A PTM core committee member, Fazl Khan, also insisted the protesters were unarmed. "How can they reach with arms when there is a check post every kilometre?"

At least 20 people were injured after violence erupted during the sit-in in North Waziristan's Doga Macha Madakhel area.against the alleged assault on a local woman.

PTM activists claimed the protest remained before the arrival of Dawar and Wazir to take part in the sit-in.

As they reached the site, the protesters started chanting slogans and the situation turned tense. Unidentified individuals opened fire on the crowd, PTM sources said.

Later on, Wazir was taken into custody and Dawar received a minor hand injury.

Earlier in the day, military spokesman Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor accused the protestors of firing at the security personne. "Innocent PTM supporters/workers need care.

"Only few are inciting and using them against state institutions for vested agenda. No one will be allowed to undo the gains of decades-long national struggle & sacrifices," he tweeted.

After the incident, which drew condemnation from almost all mainstream political prties, a curfew was imposed in North Waziristan and phone service suspended.

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