Thousands of people from different walks of life took to the streets against the increasing incidents of militancy and lawlessness in the Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday with a single demand from the government to restore peace in the area.

The rally was named ‘Lakki Marwat Olasi Pasawon’. Participants were holding the national flag as well as placards that said: “We want peace”.

They demanded the government to take notice of acts of terrorism and targeted killings of personnel of law enforcement agencies in the area.

Sources said that more than 5,000 people participated in the rally.

The speakers addressing the rally denounced incidents of terrorism in Lakki Marwat and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and asked the government to take stringent measures to eliminate terrorism and promote peace and prosperity.

Social activisit Malik Waqar said that the residents of Lakki Marwat were peace loving people and had always raised the slogan of peace.

“Ensuring peace and security is the responsibility of the state. We demand of the state authorities to provide a peaceful environment to the people of Lakki Marwat as they can no more tolerate terrorism and militancy,” he said and urged the participants to play their due role to promote peace.

Speaking on the occasion, another social activist, Rasheed Ahmed said that the residents stood by the law enforcement agencies for ensuring peace in the region.

The violence has killed mostly security forces during the past three months. Officials note that the district has suffered at least 12 attacks on the police force, claiming the lives of at least 15 police personnel and injuring as many members of the police force.

A day earlier, six policemen including an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) were killed in an armed assault by militants in the Kurrum Par area.

Meanwhile, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility, and said the police were “coming for a raid” when they were gunned down, adding that its own fighters managed to reach their base safely after looting weapons and ammunition.

A similar rally was held in Wana a few days ago where local people protested against the return of militants.