The myth of the Khawarij as self-proclaimed defenders of Shariah was brutally dismantled when two rival factions turned their guns on each other in Manzar Khel not over ideology, but over a personal dispute involving a young male member of their own ranks. According to sources, commanders from the Goher Group and Zarmajan Group both affiliated with the Khawarij network developed a personal infatuation with a youth within the group. As the object of desire became a point of rivalry, tensions escalated into open confrontation. Several fighters objected to the preferential treatment and inappropriate behaviour of their leaders, but instead of resolution, ego and desire prevailed.
The result was a deadly clash that left six Khawarij members dead and seven others injured, revealing once again the moral decay and hypocrisy embedded within these militant structures.
“This was no ideological disagreement,” said a local source familiar with the group’s internal dynamics. “They claim to fight for the implementation of Shariah, but their actions are driven by base instincts, ego, and internal corruption.”
This is not the first time such a scandal has emerged from within Khawarij ranks. A similar incident took place in Bannu, North Waziristan, earlier this year, where two factions also engaged in an armed confrontation over inappropriate relations involving younger members.
Analysts say these repeated episodes point to a disturbing pattern: religious rhetoric is merely a façade for a movement plagued by personal vendettas, exploitation, and internal moral collapse. The incidents in Manzar Khel and Bannu have further disillusioned many in the tribal belt, where local elders are now calling for an open rejection of all such groups that exploit religion for personal or political gain.
“These are not Mujahideen they are morally bankrupt mercenaries hiding behind religion,” said a civil society leader in Peshawar. “Those still deceived by their slogans must open their eyes to the filth behind the façade.”
The Manzar Khel incident serves as yet another stark reminder that the Khawarij do not represent Islam or its values, but rather a perverse distortion fueled by personal gratification and power struggles. Their war is not for God it is for ego.
