Four Women Empowerment Activists Killed In Pakistan

In northwest Pakistan, militants ambushed a vehicle killing four women and wounding the driver on Monday.

The attack took place in the village of Epi in Mir Ali, a town in North Waziristan district in a former tribal region bordering Afghanistan, said Shafi Ullah Khan Gandapur, a district police chief, reports AP News.

Police said the women were sent to the village by the private vocational school Bravo Institute of Technology, Peshawar under an agreement with the Sabawon Pakistan charity. They had planned to train 140 residents for skilled occupations that would allow them to open their own businesses.

According to the Police, an investigation is on in the case. No arrests have been made so far. Onlookers said the militants had escaped into the hillside jungle. The official added that four women identified as Naheed Bibi, Irshad Bibi, Ayesha Bibi and Javeria Bibi.

“Is this the way to give back to someone for the hard work they were doing for the poor?” Khan told NBC News. “Their role was tremendous for the local community.”

The attack was condemned by women rights activists on social media, demanding swift action against those responsible.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan also condemned the attack. They said, “HRCP condemns the killing of four women social workers in #NorthWaziristan. The state must bring to book the perpetrators of this heinous crime. The re-emergence of terror groups in the area is a matter of grave concern.”

Pakistani militants have in recent months stepped up their activities in the region, raising fears they were regrouping in the area, which was a former Taliban stronghold. The North and South Waziristan districts served as the main base for local and foreign militants until the military secured the regions in 2015.

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