Security Forces Present Options to Bajaur Tribal Jirgas Regarding TTP

Security forces have proposed various alternatives to tribal councils in Bajaur for discussions with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). According to sources, military action will be initiated if the militants do not vacate the region.

According to security sources, the primary option involves the militants leaving Bajaur. The secondary option requires the evacuation of tribes to facilitate an operation aimed at eliminating the militants.

The sources have dismissed the possibility of government-level negotiations with the terrorists and their facilitators in Bajaur, insisting on complete surrender from the militants before any dialogue can commence.

Additionally, the sources highlighted intentional efforts to obscure discussions concerning tribes and militants in Bajaur, which contrasts with the actual situation on the ground.

They indicated that the terrorists are exploiting negotiations as a tactic to prepare for conflict. Furthermore, they are reportedly residing among the general population in Bajaur while engaging in terrorist and criminal activities.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, along with Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and security authorities, has conveyed three proposals to the tribes:

  • Unspecified point 1
  • Unspecified point 2
  • Unspecified point 3

Sources also mentioned that the tribal council is a necessary measure to ensure public safety ahead of the operation. They asserted that neither religion, the state, nor the values of the people of KP permit compromise with terrorists, who are considered enemies of both Islam and the state.

Security sources have reiterated that the state alone possesses the authority to conduct armed operations. They noted that there were 600 terrorist incidents within Pakistan last year, supported financially and operationally by the Afghan Taliban.

The potential operation in Bajaur occurs amid a surge in terrorist activities since 2021, particularly in KP and Balochistan.

A report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) revealed that there were 78 terrorist attacks nationwide in June, resulting in at least 100 fatalities.

The casualties included 53 security personnel, 39 civilians, six militants, and two members of local peace committees.

A total of 189 individuals sustained injuries, comprising 126 security personnel and 63 civilians.

Overall, the violence and military actions resulted in 175 deaths in June, including 55 security personnel, 77 militants, 41 civilians, and two peace committee members.

Security forces are currently engaged in ongoing anti-terror operations nationwide and neutralized 33 India-supported terrorists attempting to enter the country from Afghanistan in Balochistan’s Zhob on Friday.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that a substantial quantity of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was also seized.