darra adem khel the birth of arms

[civilarmy]

In Darra, almost three fourths of the people are in the gun trade. Pen pistols and walking stick guns are popular here but heavier ordinances like anti aircraft guns are also manufactured here. Around 400-700 guns are made in Darra each day and the number is rising with the adoption of more tools. These guns are more than enough for the Pashtoons themselves. Many guns find their way to and from Afghanistan. In the 1980s, heroin was shut down in the markets after consultation with the tribal elders due to foreign pressure but guns could not find their way out considerably when they are known as the ornaments of a Pashtun however manufectoring of heavy ammunitation has been closed downed. There is more to be lost than gained if somebody interferes with this tradition. It's surreal to see these weapons being tested in the open streets. Everything is calm when suddenly; a Pashtun walks out of a shop two feet away and pumps twenty rounds into the air from a freshly made M-16 rifle. Such is the magic and aurora surrounding this place.

Travel by foreigners to Darra is forbidden. A permit and an armed escort are required from the Home Secretary of khyber pukhtonkhwa whose offices are in the Civil Secretariat on Police Rod in Peshawar. The permit is free of charge and issued on the very instance it is applied for. But still, only a few places are allowed to be seen. Travelers can drive by bus or car through Darra without a permit provided they do not stop because that will invite trouble. If tourists/foreigners buy guns, the shopkeepers mostly tip off the customs and the police about the trade. As a result, buyers are nabbed and the guns are either confiscated or released by giving a bribe.

The Darra arms trade fired up in 1897. In return for turning a blind eye to this illegal Pashtoon enterprise, the British were guaranteed safe passage along the main roads. In any case, the British believed it better that the Pathans have inferior weapons of their own making than stolen British-made guns.

This arm trade has won a fame for the Adam Khel pashtoons who are the major inhabitants of the town.

 

[civilarmy]

 

[jin]

Here is another video of Darra Adam Khel.

Many of my college friends were oftenly visiting me to see and buy weapons from Darra Bazar. The funny thing which oftenly happend with them was their un aware caught in sound of test fire from other shops. They started jerks which sometime cause them drop their tea if they held the cup of it. Which made them embarrass and made me laugh. In this video also you can see the jerking of foreign journalist in the last.

Darra Adam Khel weapon industry produce a lot of jobs to the people of all over Pakistan. Now mostly, the accessories level manufacturing done by labourers from Punjab, Peshawar's surrounding areas like Mattani, Badhaber, and Swabi and Mardan. People of Darra mostly have moved to dealer ship or ownership of these small industries. As in some videos it portrays as dangerous place or such like that is due to their unawareness. Before Talibanization there were a lot of foreigners from Europe, visiting these small arms industries and enjoy their test firing on the hill side.


http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgz69PYR7lA