Thousands Flee Northwest Pakistans Tirah Due to Security Concerns

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has denied plans to launch a military operation against the Pakistan Taliban in Tirah, a region in northwestern Pakistan bordering Afghanistan. According to local residents and officials, over 70,000 people, mostly women and children, have fled the area due to fears of an impending military action.

The exodus began after mosque announcements in December last year urged residents to vacate Tirah by January 23 to avoid possible conflict. However, Defence Minister Asif attributed the mass migration to harsh weather conditions rather than military actions during a recent news conference in Islamabad.

Provincial authorities have reported that the displacement of people is largely due to the harsh winter weather and food shortages worsened by heavy snowfall. The registration deadline for displaced residents has been extended from January 23 to February 5, with assurances that they can return once security improves.

Local government administrator Talha Rafiq Alam reported that approximately 10,000 families – about 70,000 people – from Tirah’s 150,000 population have registered as displaced. Military officials maintain that targeted intelligence operations against Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) will continue, with many TTP fighters having found refuge in Afghanistan.

Residents who fled the area reported mortar explosions in villages recently killed one woman and injured four children. Zar Badshah, 35, said community elders instructed him to evacuate his family to safer places due to security concerns. Narendra Singh, 27, also fled Tirah due to food shortages worsened by heavy snowfall and security concerns.

The region gained national attention last September after an explosion at an alleged bomb-making facility killed at least 24 people. Authorities initially claimed most casualties were TTP-linked fighters, but local leaders disputed this account, stating civilians were among the dead.

Source: Al Jazeera