In Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the second day of movement restrictions is underway in 16 villages of Mamund tehsil, Bajaur district, bordering Afghanistan. These restrictions were imposed by the district administration for targeted operations against militants. According to locals, unlike the first day, there are no helicopter patrols or sounds of gunfire or bombardment today. On the first day of the lockdown (Tuesday), heavy gunfire was heard across the region, causing some frightened families to flee the area. Bilal added that a protest is currently taking place at the main access point to Mamund (Umari Chowk), where demonstrators are holding the Quran and criticizing the ongoing military operation in Bajaur. The protest is being led by former PTI MNA Gul Zafar Khan. A notification issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Bajaur on July 29 stated that public movement would be restricted in 16 villages of Mamund for three days, from July 29 to July 31 at 5 PM. It also mentioned that the District Intelligence Coordination Committee recommended this restriction to ensure the safety of civilians during the military’s anti-militancy operations. However, no statement has yet been issued by ISPR, the military’s media wing. Locals claim that several civilians were killed during the July 29 operations, but hospitals and official sources have not confirmed these reports. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur expressed sorrow over the “martyrdom of innocent civilians” in Bajaur. His office announced compensation of Rs. 10 million (one crore) each for the families of deceased civilians and security personnel, and Rs. 2.5 million (25 lakh) for the injured. The statement from the Chief Minister’s Office did not disclose the exact number of casualties. Repeated attempts were made to contact the Deputy Commissioner and District Police Officer of Bajaur, but no response was received. Dr. Hayat, Medical Superintendent of Bajaur Hospital, stated that all available details had already been sent to the DC office, which serves as the official source for media. Following a meeting of the PTI parliamentary party, Chief Minister Gandapur stated in a video message that he had instructed all Deputy Commissioners not to impose curfew or Section 144 without prior approval from the provincial Home Department. It is worth noting that in recent months, multiple areas of KP — including Tank, the Tirah Valley, and Bajaur — have seen an uptick in unrest and violence. In some cases, civilian casualties during targeted security operations have sparked local protests. Over the past week, two young girls were allegedly killed in separate incidents in Tank and Tirah, prompting widespread demonstrations from local communities.
Citizens in Bajaur are protesting on the main road leading to Tehsil Mamond.
Amid the ongoing military operations in Bajaur, political parties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are also voicing their perspectives on the security situation. Following a PTI parliamentary party meeting chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, an official statement was issued expressing concern that civilian casualties in counterterrorism operations are having negative repercussions. It warned that such incidents are eroding public trust in the military, which is a major obstacle in winning the war against terrorism. According to the statement, Gandapur acknowledged that security personnel have also lost their lives in the fight against terrorism, but said that “due to flawed policies, their sacrifices are not being honored.” He announced that to improve the law and order situation, the provincial government would initiate tribal jirgas in the merged districts, followed by a grand jirga within the next ten days. The Chief Minister also emphasized that he has instructed all Deputy Commissioners not to impose curfew or enforce Section 144 without prior approval from the Home Department. Meanwhile, Awami National Party (ANP) President Aimal Wali Khan posted on X (formerly Twitter), claiming that innocent lives were lost in Bajaur and that “this must stop.” Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), the second-largest party in KP by seat count, also reacted. Its spokesperson, Aslam Ghaur, i stated that the party “will not remain silent on the situation in Bajaur.” He further commented that “no previous military operation has produced positive results.”
Ali Amin: 'Civilian casualties in counter-terrorism operations are having negative effects'
Bajaur district is located along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, with Mamund tehsil directly bordering Afghanistan’s Kunar province. Mamund is the largest tehsil in Bajaur, covering an area of approximately 250 square kilometers. It shares borders with Salarzai, Khar Bajaur, and Nawagai tehsils within Pakistan, as well as with Shagai and Marawara districts in Afghanistan. According to journalist and analyst Ehsanullah Mehsud, Bajaur’s proximity to the Afghan border has long facilitated the movement of individuals linked to various militant groups across the region. He further explained that in the past, Kunar province, which lies adjacent to Bajaur, was considered a stronghold of ISIS-K (Islamic State Khorasan Province), making it particularly challenging for Pakistani security forces to control and monitor cross-border movements.
In recent months, the situation in the tribal areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has become increasingly tense, with a noticeable surge in militant activities. The banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for several attacks during this period. Just last Sunday, militants attacked a Frontier Constabulary (FC) checkpost in the Tangi area of Bajaur. Earlier this month, a bomb explosion in Bajaur killed Assistant Commissioner Faisal Ismail, a tehsildar, and two police personnel. A few weeks ago, the local leader of the Awami National Party (ANP), Maulana Khan Zaib, was assassinated in the same region while he was reportedly organizing a peace initiative (Pasoon). Ehsanullah Tipu Mehsud, a journalist, said that in the past, the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) had conducted targeted attacks in Bajaur, often killing prominent individuals. He added that the TTP is now active in these areas, and its militants have been spotted in civilian localities, prompting security forces to launch operations against them. Abdul Sayed, an analyst who closely monitors militant groups in Pakistan, noted that TTP has been attempting to re-establish its foothold in the tribal districts since the beginning of this year. “There has been a significant rise in TTP activity in Bajaur in recent months, as evidenced by video footage shared on social media by both residents and pro-TTP media platforms,” he explained. “In these videos, militants are seen conducting armed patrols, setting up temporary checkpoints on roads and in markets, and inspecting vehicles—all for brief periods.” However, unlike in the past, the TTP no longer declares control over specific areas, as it is unable to maintain long-term dominance in the presence of Pakistani security forces.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has issued instructions to all deputy commissioners not to impose curfew in any area of the province without the permission of the Home Department.
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