Peshawar: The fate of Bajaur’s security now lies in part with the Bajaur tribal elders. Security forces have presented clear choices to the jirgas on how to deal with the khawarij — the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The decisions taken by the tribal leaders will directly impact peace in the region.
Security sources revealed that the first choice for the Bajaur tribal elders is to ensure that the terrorists leave Bajaur immediately. The second choice is for the local tribes to temporarily vacate the area so that security forces can launch a decisive operation.
Officials have stressed that no government-level talks will be held with the militants or their supporters unless they fully surrender to the state. The Bajaur tribal elders were told that any compromise with the khawarij is unacceptable under religious, state, or traditional values.
Sources also warned that militants were using dialogue as a cover to prepare for further violence. These terrorists, many of them Afghan nationals, are living among the population in Bajaur while carrying out attacks and other criminal activities.
The provincial government, including Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and senior security officials, presented three points to the jirga:
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Expel the khawarij from Bajaur.
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If unable, vacate the area for one or two days to allow a clean operation.
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If neither is done, the operation will still proceed, with maximum care taken to protect civilians.
Security sources described the tribal jirga as a necessary step before launching the operation, to safeguard the lives of ordinary citizens. However, they made it clear that only the state has the authority to use force.
They reminded the Bajaur tribal elders that last year Pakistan faced 600 terrorist attacks, most backed financially and logistically by the Afghan Taliban. Since 2021, terrorism has sharply increased, especially in KP and Balochistan.
According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), June alone saw 78 terrorist attacks nationwide, killing at least 100 people. Victims included 53 security personnel, 39 civilians, six militants, and two members of peace committees. Another 189 people were injured, including 126 security personnel.
In the same month, a total of 175 people died in violence and operations, with 77 militants among the dead. On Friday, security forces also eliminated 33 India-backed terrorists attempting to enter Pakistan from Afghanistan through Zhob, Balochistan, and seized a large cache of arms and explosives, the ISPR reported.
The challenge before the Bajaur tribal elders is now clear: take firm action to secure their homeland, or step aside for the state to do it. The path they choose will shape the peace and stability of Bajaur for years to come.
