As a child, Shehu witnessed the terror of the Serbian royalists under King Alexander where 11 Albanian populated villages in the east of Kicevo were razed.

[3] At this time, Mit'hat Frashëri published the Balli Kombëtar program around the new Albanian state.

Shehu formed the Balli Kombëtar in Kicevo and held many demonstrations to rally support.

[3] Representatives of the Albanian tribes that attended the meeting elected Shehu as military commander of the region.

[3] Shehu's third elected commander, Begzat Vuli operated from Kicevo to Berikove.