Targeted Operation’ in Bajaur: ‘The people sitting in the tent camp are not beggars, they left property worth millions at your request’

Due to the ongoing ‘targeted operation’ against militants in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province’s Bajaur district, many families have moved to and settled in the Bajaur Sports Complex in Khar, an important city of the district.

Izzatullah, who came with his family from the Nakhtar area of Bajaur, told BBC journalist Fazal Rehman:

> “I left my job in Punjab and returned. Now, following the army and government’s request, I left my home in Bajaur. We obeyed the government, but since then, our difficulties have increased greatly.”



According to Izzatullah:

> “From Bajaur, we could get a vehicle to the hospital for two thousand rupees, but since we came to this tent camp, if we need to go anywhere, the drivers demand exorbitant fares.”



He further said:

> “I came here on foot with my wife and children. We didn’t come here by choice, but after coming, people are taking advantage of our helplessness.”



Izzatullah said:

> “Those arriving now are not getting essential items. New arrivals are not being given tokens. We sleep on the ground — there is nothing to lay underneath, nothing to cover ourselves with. There isn’t even an adequate amount of drinking water.”



He added:

> “We demand the provincial government make proper arrangements for electricity here. We are forced to spend nights using mobile phone light. These people in the tent camp are not beggars — they left property worth millions at your request. Please take care of us.”



> “We have small children; at least provide the basic necessities. We left homes full of belongings worth millions, taking only one set of clothes, and only because you asked.”

---

‘They only come to take photos, no one asks how we are’

Like Izzatullah, Muhammad Abdullah — a schoolteacher from Damadola who left his home — is also living in the government-built tent camp. He told BBC’s Fazal Rehman:

> “We left our homes in Damadola on the government’s request and came here.”



He said:

> “The local administration is doing its duty, but no MPA or MNA has come to ask about our situation. If anyone comes, it is only to have their photos taken — no one really asks how we are.”



Abdullah recalled:

> “In 2008, the government and army also carried out an operation, destroying our homes and everything we owned. Now it’s happening again. We only request that you carry out targeted operations but don’t demolish our homes.”

---

Situation of displaced citizens in Bajaur

A ‘targeted operation’ is underway against militants in Mamund tehsil of Bajaur district, and a curfew has been imposed in Mamund and other areas. Most of the people displaced from these areas have settled in the Bajaur Sports Complex in Khar.

According to figures released by Additional Deputy Commissioner Saeed Ullah Jan, 434 families — 2,497 individuals — are currently living in the Sports Complex.

A district administration report states that in government and private schools and colleges, there are 9,132 displaced individuals: 1,976 men, 2,015 women, and 5,141 children. The total number of schools and colleges housing displaced people is 116.

---

Recent attacks and imposition of Section 144

On Tuesday morning, reports emerged of an attack on a convoy of security forces near Sadiqabad gate in Bajaur, but no official statement has been issued.

It is alleged that two security personnel were killed and 19 injured in the attack.

The Interior Department issued a statement yesterday saying that from 1:00 a.m. on August 12, 2025, Section 144 has been imposed for 24 hours on Khar Munda Road, Khar Nawagai Road, and Khar Sadiqabad Inayat Kali Road.

The statement added that during targeted actions against terrorists, full Section 144 will remain in force in certain areas until 11:00 a.m. on August 14, 2025. During this period, going out on roads or leaving homes will be prohibited.

---

Scale of the operation and local conditions

District Police Officer Waqas Rafiq told BBC yesterday that a 12-hour curfew was imposed across Bajaur, while in Loe Mamund and Wara Mamund, it will remain for three days.

Although the targeted operation began in various villages of Mamund tehsil, locals said:

> “Now it feels like the operation is across the whole district because entry points to Bajaur have been closed, highways are completely deserted, and most major markets are shut.”




---

‘The jirga was never given authority to make a decision’

The operation began after failed negotiations by a jirga of local elders and political leaders.

Khalil ur Rahman, chairman of Nawagai tehsil and a leader of the jirga, told BBC:

> “The jirga was never given decision-making authority.”



He said that talks were held with the Taliban, and a meeting took place with the Chief Minister, but both sides stuck to their positions, and the jirga failed.

Former National Assembly member Haroon Rashid said that although a temporary ceasefire was achieved, the deadlock prevented resolution.

---

Atmosphere of fear and large-scale displacement

Residents said there is fear in the area; roads, highways, bazaars, and markets are closed, and all business activity has stopped.

According to a local administration officer, 7,000–8,000 families — roughly 50,000–60,000 people — are being displaced.

This began on July 29 when a curfew was imposed in Mamund for an operation.


---

Militant numbers and background

Security sources estimate there may be 200–300 militants in Mamund, though some reports put the number closer to 1,000.

They include locals as well as Afghan nationals who take advantage of the proximity to the border.

In 2008, during Operation Sherdil, militants were driven out, but in 2022, after negotiations, they returned, and incidents of targeted killing and violence increased.


---

Local opinion

Locals say that in armed conflicts, ordinary citizens suffer the most, which is why they oppose them.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party has been against military operations, but now targeted operations have begun in Bajaur, and it is unclear whether they will expand to other areas.