KHAR, Pakistan: Pakistani security forces have launched a highly anticipated “targeted operation” against militants in the troubled northwestern district of Bajaur, near the Afghan border, resulting in the displacement of thousands of residents who have fled to safer locations, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
Although there has been no official government announcement about the offensive, Saeed Ullah, a government administrator, clarified that the operation is limited in scope, focusing only on militant hideouts to minimize civilian casualties.
Ullah estimated that over 20,000 families—more than 50,000 people—have left their homes in recent days due to concerns about the military action. Locals reported that security forces, supported by helicopter units, struck militant strongholds in the rugged mountainous areas along the border.
This operation follows a major campaign conducted in Bajaur in 2009 targeting Pakistani and foreign militants, which had displaced hundreds of thousands of people at that time.
Many of the recently displaced individuals are now taking shelter in government buildings and schools, where authorities are providing food and essential supplies.
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police chief Zulfiqar Hameed said that data collection on displaced families is ongoing, and the targeted operation continues.
The Pakistani Taliban, or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has found sanctuary across the border in Afghanistan, where many leaders and fighters have been openly residing since the Taliban’s takeover—an event that has emboldened the TTP’s activities.