Khyber: Fake Encounter Exposed, Police Offer 'Nanawatai' to Victim's Family.

In a major development in Khyber district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, police have admitted to a fake encounter and offered Nanawatai (traditional apology) to the victim's family under tribal customs.
Background of the Incident
On September 27, police arrested two youths, Ashfaq Afridi and Hidayat Khan, during an operation against non-customs-paid vehicles in the Malagori area of Khyber district. During the same operation, SHO Riaz Hussain Afridi of Malagori Police Station was injured and later martyred.
Police claimed that the two arrested suspects were being taken to the crime scene for investigation when unidentified armed men opened fire, killing both suspects. However, local tribal elders and the victims' families rejected this claim, calling it a fake encounter, and launched protests.
Police Admission and Nanawatai
Following the incident, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi ordered a judicial inquiry and suspended DPO Khyber Waqar Ahmed.
Now, police officials have offered Nanawatai to the victims' families under tribal tradition, which the family has accepted. DSP Headquarters Hikmat Khan Afridi, DSP Malik Mazhar Afridi, and other officers were present on the occasion. Former MPAs Shafiq Sher Afridi and Bilawal Afridi, along with dozens of tribal elders, attended the gathering.
Financial Compensation and FIR Withdrawal
According to the Jirga decision, police will pay Rs 7.5 million each to the two affected families, while a separate financial package will also be provided by the government. Additionally, FIRs registered against the victims' families and their tribal associates will also be withdrawn.
Chief Minister's Stance
CM Sohail Afridi stated, "We will not allow the children of the nation to be killed like this. Both the martyred SHO and the killed citizens are children of the nation. The affected families will be provided justice in any case."
This incident points to a growing trend of alleged fake encounters by police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where matters are settled under tribal customs.