In Khyber's Qambarkhel and Shunko areas, armed militants affiliated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) reportedly imposed their own Eid celebrations, counter to the government’s official announcement for 21 March. Eyewitness accounts describe militants gathering crowds, conducting prayers, and addressing locals, effectively dictating the religious observance and propagating their record. The episode is presented as a security of coercion and control rather than voluntary participation, highlighting a perceived collapse of law enforcement and civil authority. Observers note that militants operated openly with minimal resistance, raising questions about state control and security in the district. Critics assign responsibility to the provincial government for allowing militants to influence events, spread their influence, and challenge state authority within its territory.
