Pakistan, Swat Valley, Mahnbanr (Tehsil Qilagai) near the Dir border, Mahnbanr Lashkar elder Said Baddshah heading home with his armed Lashkar members after attending a large jirga at Tehsil Kabal. Leaders like Said Badshah have been constantly threatened by the Taliban for playing a pivotal role in kicking them out of Swat Valley © Massimo Berruti - Agence VU'

Pakistan, Swat Valley, Mahnbanr (Tehsil Qilagai) near the Dir border, March 2011 Armed Lashkar members performing pehra on a snow-covered road that leads to the populated area of Mahnbanr in Qilagai Teshil. Communication gaps due to the bad condition of the road isolate the Lashkars during winter, making their task of defending the area more difficult © Massimo Berruti - Agence VU'

Pakistan, Swat Valley, Mahnbanr (Tehsil Qilagai) near the Dir Border, March 2011 Lashkar members performing pehra, night patrol, on the rooftop of a house at the entrance of Mahnbanr © Massimo Berruti - Agence VU'

Pakistan, Swat Valley, Totani Bandai, January 2011 Lashkar elders with a Saiflullah Khan bodyguard, at the hujra of Lashkar head Nazim Saifullah Khan Lala. They sit in the sun to try and keep warm in the chilly weather, while waiting to meet Saifullah, one of the most important Lashkar personalities, thanks to his close relations with the army © Massimo Berruti - Agence VU'

Pakistan, Swat Valley, Galoch, March 2011 A Lashkar member removing his old German pistol after night patrol. It is common for these people – who are self financed – to fix old models of guns. These are not as effective as the heavy AK47 rifle, commonly used by the militants © Massimo Berruti - Agence VU'

Pakistan, Swat Valley, Totani Bandai, January 2011 A young boy from the Lashkar community, playing with a cricket ball in the courtyard of Totano Bandai Lashkar head, Saifullah Khan Lala © Massimo Berruti - Agence VU'