SUMMARY

The Lashkar of Kukikhel tribe is a pro-government tribal militia operating in the Tirah valley of Khyber Agency in the north-western parts of Pakistan. The militia was started and organized by the leaders (maliks) of the Kukikhel tribe. In June 2010, the leaders organized the armed Lashkar with the purpose to protect the tribe and force militants, such as Tehrik-i-Taleban and Lashkar-e-Islam, to leave the area.

A Lashkar is a traditional (typically non-permanent) militia called upon by leaders of a tribe, usually either for defensive purposes or in order to settle a feud with a rival tribe. Leadership of the Lashkar is decentralized, remaining, typically, with the maliks and village elders that summoned it.

The Lashkar of Kukikhel tribe has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.