Ashrafuddin Pirzada
KHYBER: In the aftermath of a high-level Provincial Apex Committee meeting, security forces have launched a large-scale and coordinated operation against militants in the restive Khyber district, official sources said on Tuesday
They said that the operation is centred in the Tirah Valley, specifically targeting militant strongholds in areas such as Pir Mela, Zara Pakh, Maidan and surrounding areas.
According to security sources, 11 militants, all reportedly linked to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) Hafiz Gul Bahadur faction, have been killed during the ongoing operation. Among the deceased, five bodies were recovered during a clearance sweep in Pir Mela and identified as Riaz, Farman, Qureshi and Fatah. The officials said one body remained unidentified.
They said the security forces have also successfully cleared and regained control of five critical hilltops previously under militant control.
The officials further said the 5th Baloch Regiment of the security forces was involved in the operation, using advanced tactics, including drone strikes to target militant hideouts and disrupt their operational capabilities.
Security forces have destroyed several key militant hideouts and logistic centers, significantly weakening the group’s foothold in the region. Using drones has added precision to the strikes, ensuring minimal collateral damage while achieving strategic objectives.
“This operation is part of a broader strategy approved during the recent Provincial Apex Committee meeting to counter the escalating militant threat in the region”, the official said.
He added that the ongoing offensive was the most extensive and impactful action taken against militants in recent years.
On the other hand, the deteriorating security situation and ongoing military action have forced thousands of residents from conflict-hit areas to flee their homes.
Over the past 48 hours, more than 4,000 individuals, primarily women and children, have reportedly migrated to safer locations. Local authorities are coordinating with humanitarian organizations to provide temporary shelter, food and medical assistance to the displaced families.
The security forces have pledged to continue the operation until the militant networks are dismantled and the region fully cleared. The ongoing offensive underscores the government’s commitment to restoring peace and stability in Khyber District, which has long been plagued by insurgency and militant activities.
Authorities have urged residents to cooperate with security forces and report suspicious activities to expedite the clearance process. Meanwhile, the government was closely monitoring the humanitarian crisis arising from the displacement and planning relief measures for the affected population.
This operation is being closely watched as a critical step in countering militancy and ensuring the safety of residents in Khyber District and beyond.
