PESHAWAR – Residents of Tirah Valley are set to face mass relocation starting January 10, as authorities prepare for targeted military operation against surge in militancy along Afghan border.
After tense negotiations, a 24-member tribal committee representing local population reached an agreement with the district administration after presenting 27 critical demands to the government. The deal ensures residents will vacate their homes between January 10 and 25, with the government providing food, medical aid, and transportation during the relocation.
Tirah tribal committee revealed that the agreement includes compensation packages for affected households Rs3 million for fully destroyed homes, Rs1 million for partial damage, and Rs50,000 per month per household during displacement. Relocation expenses will also be covered.
Locals hailed historic agreement ensuring safety and basic rights for Tirah residents before military launches its operation.
Authorities confirmed that after the relocation, a surgical strike against militants will start, but no permanent new security committees will be formed, the government will take full responsibility for law and order.
The operation comes amid resurgence of militancy in the region after rise of interim Afghan Taliban government, with militants reportedly infiltrating Islamabad from across the border.
Tirah is scenic valley known for its tourist attractions, has a violent past, having been the center of multiple military operations between 2014 and 2017, including Khyber-1 through Khyber-4, aimed at eliminating entrenched militant networks like Lashkar-e-Islam.
Lately, Army Chief Field Marshal General Asim Munir, warned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) that any threat to the country’s security will not be tolerated, claiming most of its fighters are Afghan nationals. He described the group as a direct challenge to the state and stressed that only the government has the authority to declare jihad.
Munir urged Afghan Taliban to choose between Pakistan and the TTP, calling on them to prevent militants from using Afghan soil for attacks. He reaffirmed that Pakistan’s military and law enforcement agencies are fully prepared to counter security threats on both eastern and western borders.
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