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The
Replica Factories of Darra Adam Khel
Text & Pictures by Omar Afridi
Translated Copy
from BBC Urdu
Located in between Kohat and Peshawar, Darra is
famous for manufacturing and sale of local made weapons. The skilled craftsmen
of Darra are able to manufacture exact replicas of any kind of gun in the
world. 70% of the craftsmen are not locals. Drugs and fake documents are also
available here.
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Ordinary Tools are Used |
Father to
Son:
The skills of these craftsmen are passed down
from father to son. A Good craftsman in Darra can earn 10-15,000 and an
ordinary one can earn 3-5,000 rupees. But due to the ban on issuance of
licenses the trade has slowed down. Even the arms dealers in the cities buy
stocks after ordering them first. |
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A Skilled Worker |
Magic of the
Eye: These craftsmen gain
experience in manufacturing different parts of weapons. With their
experience, they can analyse the parts and sizes of a new weapon after
simply looking at it. Many types of Pistols, Revolvers, Double Barrelled and
Single Barrelled weapons are manufactured here. |
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You Made Iron, I made a Pistol |
A Replica is
After All a Replica:
Craftsmen say that Iron made in Pakistan
Steel Mills is suitable for weapon manufacturing. But experts say that
however good Iron may be, a replica is still a replica. Illegal weapons are
delivered to various cities in the country in a unique way. A third person
usually makes the delivery after accepting a reasonable amount of money.
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A Mekarob Pistol |
A Small
Weapon: Mekarob Pistols are in
demand here because due to their small size and compactness, it can be
hidden very easily. |
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These People Really Sit on Top of Mounds of Gunpowder |
On a Mount of
Gunpowder: Cartridges are filled
with Gun Powder in order to make them usable. Although the performance of
these cartridges are not up to standard, nevertheless they still do the job.
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What do you Want? |
Light
Weapons: While the craftsmen are
outsiders, their sale is in the hands of local tribesmen. All members of a
household give a helping hand in the business. In the shops, every kind of
light weapons are available for sale. However, sale of heavy weapons is
forbidden. |
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Rocket Launchers and its Rockets at Dirt Cheap Prices |
Heavy Weapons:
Although there is a ban on
sale of heavy weapons in Darra, they are easily available at Tirah in Khyber
and Sadda in Kurram Agency. |
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The Bejewelled Tribesmen of Tirah |
The Demand of
Weapons: Weapons manufactured in
Darra are in high demand not only locally but throughout the country. The
weapons are considered an ornament for men and is regarded as a part of
attire. This is the reason that a household stove may be kept cold, but the
barrel of the gun is kept warm.
In an absence of any security agency, the
local people take the task of protecting themselves on their own and thus
obviously there is demand for weapons. The gun is regarded as the 'fifth
religion' of man over here. |
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