Thousands of protesters in Pakistan's northwestern Bannu area held a demonstration last week to demand an end to military operations in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan.

The peaceful rally turned violent after a gunfire triggered a stampede. Two people were killed and dozens were injured as a result.

The rally organizers condemned the use of violence against the protesters.

"We are protesting against state atrocities, removal of landmines, recovery of missing persons, and for a claim on our [regional] natural resources. We also seek accountability for the military operations in our areas," Idrees Pashteen, an activist belonging to the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), told DW.

Rights groups criticized authorities for their alleged use of violence to break up the march, with Amnesty International saying that the "use of lethal force at a peaceful rally advocating for peace is unlawful."

The rights watchdog demanded a prompt investigation to "hold to account officials responsible for the attack."

Security officials have denied firing at the protesters.

At the heart of these demonstrations is the PTM, an Pashtun rights movement, and anti-war group, which has gained considerable strength in the past seven or eight years, and has drawn tens of thousands of people to its protest rallies.

Its supporters are critical........

© Deutsche Welle