TROUBLING reports have emerged from Khyber’s Tirah area of militant gangs entrenching themselves in the region. This is despite the fact that security forces have been conducting operations against such violent groups. As reported in this paper on Monday, militants belonging to the TTP and Lashkar-i-Islam — both banned outfits — have set up parallel courts in Tirah, started collecting taxes, and asked government officials to leave the areas. According to locals who spoke to this paper, militants have for several weeks been making announcements after Friday prayers ordering state employees to either relinquish their duties, or leave the region. Many government servants have reportedly left out of fear for their lives. News had first emerged of TTP and LI terrorists patrolling the area several months ago. Now it seems they have gained enough confidence to start setting up their own governance structure.

This shocking challenge to the state’s writ cannot go unanswered. It should be remembered that the Talibanisation of Swat and the erstwhile Fata region started in similar fashion. It would be an immense folly if such a grave mistake were to be repeated by the state after so many civilians and security men paid with their lives in an effort to bring peace to the area. As the terrorists are currently operating in certain pockets, the security forces should focus on these areas in order to neutralise them. If the militants are left to their own devices, or counterterrorism operations fail to capture or eliminate them, they will continue to encroach upon more territory. Some voices — such as the recently concluded tribal jirga organised by the proscribed PTM — have called for the military, and militants, to vacate the Pakhtun areas. They have proposed that unarmed ‘volunteers’ take up security duties. While fears of the local population regarding terrorism, as well as large-scale military operations, are legitimate, calling for the security forces to vacate the area is an unrealistic demand. Moreover, it is unlikely that the TTP and their cohorts will pay much heed to the jirga resolutions and leave the area. Instead of launching fully fledged military operations, localised action should be taken to clear areas of militants. Thereafter, the civil administration and the LEAs, backed by the army where necessary, should make greater efforts to ‘hold’ and ‘build’ the areas so that terrorists cannot sneak back in.

Published in Dawn, October 22th, 2024