KHYBER: The banned militant outfits Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and Lashkar-i-Islam continue to make their presence felt in parts of Tirah valley here as they have started asking the leading local narcotics dealers for a “share” in their earnings from cannabis sale, insist sources in the region.

The sources, who spoke to Dawn on condition of anonymity fearing violent retaliation from militants, said Tirah was a fertile land for cannabis and poppy cultivation, with most residents heavily depending on the two “cash” crops for their livelihood.

They said the two banned organisations wanted to fill their “empty coffers” with the money generated by the sales of the recently harvested cannabis crop.

The sources said that the officials claimed to have inflicted heavy casualties on militants groups during intelligence-based operations, which began on Aug 20 and had yet to be called off, but their armed affiliates were still present in the hilly areas of the valley, including Batti, Peer Mela and Takhtakai, where they camouflaged themselves in thick forests.

TTP, LI want to replenish their funds with drug money, insist local sources

They said some local influential drug dealers along with their accomplices had made commitments to those militant groups, especially those affiliated with LI, regarding their “due” share in cannabis and poppy income.

The sources said that armed groups crossed into Tirah from Afghanistan through unfrequented routes after the cannabis trading began in the valley.

They said that most armed activists of LI either belonged to those areas or had enough knowledge of the local terrain, so they kept a constant contact with the local leading narcotics dealers and regularly reminded them of their pledges regarding payment from cannabis income.

The sources said the phenomenon was not new to Tirah valley as local farmers were allowed to cultivate cannabis and poppy in their fields against the payment of due “share” in their earnings since TTP and LI along with the defunct local group Ansarul Islam had control over parts of the valley ahead of 2012’s full-fledged military operation.

“We observed in the recent past that the militant groups would swiftly vanish from the scene once they grabbed their share from leading narcotics dealers,” a source claimed.

He added that the recent IBOs were just eyewash as the armed men continued to hold their positions on several hilltops, mostly situated in the areas bordering Orakzai tribal district.

The source said that the drug money was a main source of income for outlawed groups, which appeared in the valley just to remind their financiers to fulfil “obligations.”

Meanwhile, a 32-member committee comprising representatives of various Tirah tribes has been formed following consultations with the local security officials.

Sources said that the names of those members, approved by security officials, were finalised in jirgas.

They said the main objective of the committee was to work for a lasting peace in the valley and enhancing cooperation between law-enforcement agencies and residents.

The sources said the committee members, who belong to Kukikhel, Kamarkhel, Malakdinkhel, Qambarkhel and Sipah tribesmen, would also help resolve disputes and ensure judicious distribution of aid to the needy and impoverished families. They’re also tasked with working in close liaison with Islamic Relief Pakistan, an NGO operating in parts of Tirah for development and rehabilitation work.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2024