DND Report
Tirah Valley, bordering Afghanistan, has long remained one of the most volatile and strategically sensitive regions of Pakistan. With rugged terrain and difficult access routes, the valley unfortunately evolved into one of the largest open markets for drugs and illegal weapons in the region.
Weekly drug expos reportedly take place in Tirah, where thousands of tons of narcotics are bought and sold openly under the protection of the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
“Tirah Valley has established itself as a hotbed of terrorism. The convergence of terrorist groups, narcotics networks, and cross-border linkages with Afghan Taliban resulted in a dangerous terror-crime nexus”
Over time, this illicit economy transformed the valley into a safe haven for terrorists and hardened criminals who not only operate freely but also reside with their families under an informal umbrella of political and administrative protection.
The valley’s geography provides natural cover to criminal and terrorist networks, allowing them to evade law enforcement and exploit porous Pak-Afghan borders. Whenever federal security forces accelerate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) against terrorists and criminals, powerful criminal cartels exert pressure on state institutions to halt these actions. The reason is simple: counterterrorism operations disrupt the narcotics trade, weapon smuggling, and extortion rackets that form the financial backbone of these groups. Thus, any action against terrorism is perceived as a direct threat to the business interests of drug barons who are mostly politicians of ruling party operating in Tirah.
Over the years, Tirah Valley has firmly established itself as a hotbed of terrorism, witnessing several high-profile attacks. The convergence of terrorist groups, narcotics networks, and cross-border linkages with Afghan Taliban resulted in a dangerous terror-crime nexus. This nexus gradually acquired political backing, evolving into one of the most alarming examples of a political-terror-crime alliance operating within Pakistan.
To counter this threat, security forces consistently conducted intelligence-based operations. However, because terrorists were embedded within populated areas, the risk of collateral damage remained a constant challenge. Acknowledging these risks, multiple meetings between local tribal Jirgas and the administration were convened to explore options that would neutralize terrorist influence while protecting civilians.
For years, local residents raised serious concerns about the unchecked presence of terrorists, criminals, and open markets for drugs and weapons. As the situation worsened, criminal gangs and terrorists began targeting local elders who dared to speak against them. Assassinations and intimidation campaigns were launched to silence voices of resistance within the community. Faced with growing insecurity, the local population sought intervention from the federal government, prompting a series of engagements aimed at restoring peace and order in the valley.
“Tribal elders approached TTP terrorists residing in Tirah and urged them to vacate the area. However, these requests were blatantly rejected, leaving the elders with no viable alternative”
Local elders informed federal government agencies that they would first attempt to resolve the matter through traditional tribal mechanisms. They proposed convening a Jirga to persuade criminals and terrorists to leave the valley voluntarily. The elders made it clear that if these elements refused to listen, then it would become the responsibility of the federal government to safeguard the local population through appropriate security measures because provincial government of KP was behind the criminal cartels and it would not be helpful to elders in their fight against criminals and terrorists.
The federal government, already intent on eliminating Indian-sponsored and Afghan-supported terrorist networks entrenched in Tirah, agreed to give local elders time to explore a traditional solution of jirga. A three-month window was provided for negotiations. During this period, tribal elders approached Khawarij (TTP terrorists) residing in Tirah and urged them to vacate the area to avoid collateral damage during impending security operations. However, these requests were blatantly rejected, leaving the elders with no viable alternative.
Realizing the gravity of the situation and the unwillingness of terrorists to disengage, the elders approached the federal security agencies with a difficult but necessary option: voluntary displacement of civilians to allow security forces to conduct operations without risking innocent lives. This marked a critical turning point, as the decision to vacate the area was initiated by the locals themselves, not imposed by the military or federal authorities.
These initial interactions were followed by successive Jirgas at the provincial level. On 26 December 2025, representatives of the Tirah Jirga formally submitted their demands to the government and agreed to temporary displacement. It is crucial to underline that the Jirga consciously chose displacement as the least harmful option under the circumstances.
Based on this decision, the government approved a substantial amount of Rs 4 billion to facilitate the displacement process. Unfortunately, the sanctioned funds were not utilized judiciously. Provincial Administrative corruption, mismanagement, and poor planning marred the entire process, adding to the misery of the already vulnerable population of Tirah. Instead of providing timely relief, shelter, and logistical support, the mishandling of resources by provincial government deepened public distress.
“Large-scale military operations are never part of the plan in Tirah Valley”
It is pertinent to mention that contrary to misinformation campaigns, the Pakistan Army never demanded displacement, and the option was merely suggested as a preventive measure to avoid collateral damage, an option ultimately chosen by local notables themselves. A total of 19,000 families from the Bagh Maidan area were identified for displacement. So far, approximately 65 percent of the population has vacated the area, while 35 percent still remain in Tirah.
Importantly, no rigid timeframe for displacement was dictated by security forces. The schedule was determined by community elders, taking into account practical considerations such as the completion of the harvesting season and local socioeconomic needs.
When contacted to comment, an official in Interior Ministry Islamabad said that claims of impending large-scale military operations are also misleading and such operations were never part of the plan in Tirah Valley. He stated that security forces, particularly the Pakistan Army relies on a time-tested methodology of intelligence-based operations (IBOs), which has consistently delivered results. In 2025 alone, 75,175 IBOs were conducted, leading to the elimination of 2,597 terrorists. These figures underscore the effectiveness of targeted operations over large-scale maneuvers.
“Sinister narrative has been aggressively pushed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its provincial government in KP against IBOs in Tirah Valley”
It may be noted that over time, security forces have enhanced their surveillance and strike capabilities through capacity building and technological induction, further strengthening the effectiveness of IBOs. Based on past experiences, the Army remains cautious about large-scale operations due to the humanitarian distress they often cause, particularly for internally displaced persons (IDPs). Moreover, large-scale operations typically require visible induction of additional troops, a development that has not occurred in Tirah, further confirming the absence of such intentions.
Harsh weather conditions in Tirah also restrict the feasibility of large-scale military actions. Instead, operations are guided by the Bagh Joint Action Plan (BJAP), a comprehensive framework combining kinetic measures with non-kinetic initiatives. The plan emphasizes socioeconomic uplift, establishment of law enforcement infrastructure, and sustainable peace to ensure that displaced populations can eventually return to a stable and secure environment.
Another official of security in Peshawar while talking to DND News Agency said that a sinister narrative has been aggressively pushed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its provincial government in KP against IBOs in Tirah Valley.
“Rather than effectively utilizing the approved Rs 4 billion grant, the provincial administration mismanaged the displacement process, deliberately allowing chaos and hardship to prevail. This mismanagement was then weaponized to construct a “human story” aimed at discrediting state institutions. PTI propagated the false narrative that displacement was imposed by the federal government and the Army, sowing mistrust between the people and national institutions”, commented the official.
In several interviews conducted by media and appeared on televisions, local people stated that the elders’ chosen two-pronged strategy security operations alongside development initiatives, but the situation was distorted and politicized to serve vested financial and political interests of political cadre. Historically, the well-coordinated political-crime-terror nexus has opposed any counterterrorism measures, as such actions threaten their illicit revenue streams and influence.
In pursuit of narrow political gains, these actors have shown blatant disregard for the suffering of ordinary people in Tirah. The situation in Tirah Valley is not merely a security challenge; it is a test of the state’s resolve against entrenched criminal and terrorist networks supported by political opportunism. Addressing the issue requires truth, transparency, and unity between the people and institutions—free from distortion, exploitation, and sinister agendas that thrive on instability.
