Latest news with #OperationSarbakaf
India Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
55,000 displaced in Bajaur as Pakistan forces target TTP, curfew traps thousands
Around 55,000 people have been displaced from Pakistan's Bajaur tribal district after security forces launched a large-scale offensive against militants, a provincial lawmaker told the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly on Monday, warning that hundreds of thousands more remain trapped under curfew.'Almost the entire population is literally hostage to the curfew, which halted their migration,' said Awami National Party legislator Nisar Baz, calling it 'astonishing' that the government had imposed movement restrictions at a time when residents were trying to flee to forces began the three-day 'targeted operation' in Bajaur on Monday, focusing on Lowi Mamund and War Mamund tehsils — a former stronghold of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) bordering Afghanistan — after peace talks with militant commanders collapsed last week. The provincial Home Department said movement restrictions in about 27 areas would last from 12 hours to as long as 72 hours. Locals were ordered to vacate by the district administration, and several families left ahead of the crackdown, while others took shelter in government-run said the curfew had left nearly 400,000 people 'hostage' inside their homes, with many unable to reach safe areas due to a shortage of transport. 'Some have been forced to spend nights in tents or public buildings,' he told the assembly, adding that neither the provincial nor the federal government had made arrangements to meet the needs of the however, insisted families had been moved to safer areas and given food and shelter. Special Adviser to the Prime Minister on Tribal Areas Mubarak Khan Zaib told lawmakers, 'Affected families are not being left alone,' adding that schools were being used as temporary to the district administration, 107 educational institutions, mostly in Khar tehsil, have been designated as relief camps for displaced offensive, dubbed 'Operation Sarbakaf,' was first launched on July 29 but paused a day later as a jirga-led dialogue appeared to make headway. Those talks — aimed at relocating militants to Afghanistan — broke down Friday evening after multiple rounds failed to resolve key issues, according to Dawn newspaper.- EndsWith inputs from PTI
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Gandapur distances K-P govt from Bajaur op
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Tuesday confirmed that a "targeted military" operation to eliminate terrorists in Bajaur was underway, but stopped short of endorsing it. Chairing a provincial cabinet meeting in the metropolis, the chief minister, however, opposed the forced displacement of civilians from areas affected by the recent surge in terror activities. "Operations and forced displacement of civilians are not my government's policy," he told his cabinet colleagues while briefing them on the law-and-order situation in the province. His remarks came a day after media reports said security forces, reportedly assisted by helicopter gunships and artillery, pounded terrorist hideouts in Lowi Mamund and War Mamund tehsils, located about 20km from Khar, the district headquarters. No loss of life was reported on the first day of the operation, which continued until sunset. The offensive, codenamed Operation Sarbakaf, was initially launched on July 29 but was postponed the next day after peace talks between the Bajaur Amn Jirga and local terrorist commanders made some headway. However, negotiations for relocating terrorists to Afghanistan collapsed last week due to a stalemate over certain issues. The chief minister categorically stated that the provincial government had not authorised any such operation. It is worth noting that PTI founding chairman Imran Khan had instructed the provincial chief executive to oppose any form of military operation "tooth and nail". Addressing the situation in Bajaur, the chief minister said that following the collapse of negotiations, "the authorities concerned are now conducting targeted actions". To safeguard residents, Section 144 has been imposed in the affected areas, he added. The chief minister condemned anti-state elements attempting to destabilise the country, reiterating that terrorism was "unequivocally unacceptable" as it affected all citizens equally. He highlighted the provincial government's proactive strategy, beginning with the establishment of jirgas to build public trust and enlist community support in combating terrorism. The chief minister informed the cabinet that the federal government had expressed willingness to engage in negotiations with Afghanistan. "The provincial government is currently preparing its groundwork in this regard," he said.
AFP
5 days ago
- Politics
- AFP
Old photo shows military helicopter in Afghanistan, not crackdown on Pakistan militants
"What spectre has cast a shadow over my city? Even if the sun rises, the dawn cannot break through. Bajaur operation," reads the Urdu-language caption of an image shared on X on July 29, 2025. The image appears to show a military helicopter firing ordnance over fields in a lush green valley. It was shared as Pakistani authorities launched "Operation Sarbakaf" in Bajaur, an area in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near to the border with Afghanistan. Pakistan's Dawn newspaper reported the security operation was targeting "militants affiliated with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as well as the Islamic State of Khorasan (ISKP), the local affiliate of the transnational Islamic State group" (archived link). Around 300 people, mostly security officials, have been killed in attacks since the start of the year by armed groups fighting the government in provinces bordering Afghanistan, according to an AFP tally (archived link). Image Screenshot of the false X post captured on August 12, 2025, with a red X added by AFP The same image was also shared in similar X posts and on YouTube. "Why do you give sanctuary to terrorists? if you provide sanctuary to terrorists, there will be no mercy for anyone," read a comment on one of the posts. Another said: "Terrorist sympathisers must be dealt with harshly." But the circulating image was not taken during the security operation in Bajaur. A reverse image search on Google led to the same photo on the Alamy platform (archived link). "An AH-64 Apache helicopter shoots flares over a valley to support members of the 8th Commando Kandak and coalition special operations forces during a firefight near Nawa Garay village, Kajran district, Daykundi province, Afghanistan, April 3," reads part of its caption. "Coalition SOF partners with the 8th Commando Kandak to conduct operations throughout Daykundi, Uruzgan and Zabul provinces. AH-64 Apache in Daykundi - 2012." The same photo can also be seen on the website of the US Department of Defense (archived link). Its caption reads: "An AH-64 Apache helicopter releases flares over a valley to support coalition special operations forces and Afghan soldiers during a firefight near Nawa Garay village in the Kajran district of Afghanistan's Daykundi province, April 3, 2012." Image Screenshot comparison of the falsely shared image (left) and the US Department of Defense photo (right) AFP has debunked similar claims from Pakistan that in fact show images from Afghanistan.
Asia News Network
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Asia News Network
Former Pakistan PM Imran ‘not leaving the country', says Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM
ISLAMABAD – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Sunday dismissed rumours of PTI founder Imran Khan leaving the country under a deal, describing them as attempts to weaken the provincial government. According to a statement issued today by his focal person for digital media Yar Muhammad Niyazi, Gandapur also rubbished media reports that Imran had asked him to resign from his post as chief minister if he was unable to keep the peace in KP. The PTI founder said in a 'clear message' to Gandapur a day prior that the federation should not be allowed to conduct another military operation in the province and its tribal areas. Earlier this week, security forces, backed by gunship helicopters and artillery, launched 'Operation Sarbakaf' against terrorists in Lowi Mamund tehsil and imposed a three-day curfew in the region. 'Chief Minister Gandapur has said that the PTI founder Imran Khan will never leave Pakistan,' the statement read. 'If he (Imran) had to make a deal, he would have done so by now.' The focal person's statement added that Imran never expressed any desire to leave the country. 'The assumptions that are being made that Imran Khan will go abroad are just an attempt to weaken the movement and damage Khan's position,' it clarified. The statement continued: 'Ali Amin Khan Gandapur said, 'Imran Khan has made me the chief minister. His trust is with me. 'Khan sahib has the government, he has the command, and we are all trying our best to deal with the challenges of the province effectively according to his vision','. The statement further read: 'Along with our movement, there is also an administrative responsibility, which we are paying full attention to.' Gandapur also claimed that rumours are being spread by political opponents to weaken the PTI government in KP and the party's movement itself. Yesterday, the CM held the first in a series of jirgas to decide on future steps on a wide array of concerns among the province's residents. A statement listed down the recommendations made by the jirga, such as ensuring unity against terrorism to restore peace, as well as declaring that displacement amid the ongoing military operation was 'unacceptable under any circumstances'. 'Development is linked to peace and it will accelerate when peace is restored,' the statement said. 'No one has asked for any resources of the province, including minerals, nor has it been given to anyone, nor will it be given to anyone.'
