ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) — Sixteen-year-old Akbar Zaid dreams of becoming a teacher. But for now, his summer job involves holding an automatic rifle and hunting down Taliban fighters.
Zaid is among hundreds of villagers in northwest Pakistan who’ve volunteered to join private militias, called lashkars. These groups have vowed to help Pakistan’s military in fighting the Taliban.
"I’m doing it for peace," Zaid said, right before he fired several shots in the air with his rifle.
Pakistani military officials credit the lashkars with helping chase the Taliban out of Swat Valley and neighboring districts once infested with the militants.
"By nature, they’re very tough," Pakistani army Major Hasnain Shah said of the lashkars. "They’re sacrificing their lives just to protect their own values and to help us out." 
Watch Pakistan’s lashkars in action »
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