Tirah Valley, nestled in the rugged terrain of ex-FATA, is once again bleeding. The specter of terror has returned, not in whispers, but in the unmistakable language of bullets, quadcopters, abductions, and intimidation. As militants from outlawed groups like TTP, Lashkar-e-Islam, and others tighten their grip on the region, the people of Tirah are left wondering: how long must we suffer before decisive action is taken?
More than just another conflict zone, Tirah Valley sits at a strategic crossroads, linking Pakistan’s western frontier with internal tribal routes. Leaving this terrain in the hands of non-state actors risks not just local stability, but national cohesion.
Let’s unwind with the facts. In recent months, militants have intensified their reign of terror. In one chilling incident, three young men; Naveed, Ibrahim, and Samad, were abducted and ruthlessly executed in Zangi Kalli. Naveed was the only brother to several sisters, Ibrahim had just been married. Their deaths are not just numbers in a report, they are personal, devastating losses to families and community.
On another instance, a disabled father’s inability to pay Ushr (a so-called tax extorted by militants) led to his two disabled sons being attacked. In yet another tragic episode, a woman was shot simply for refusing to serve food to terrorists.
These are not isolated cases; they are evidence of a coordinated campaign of fear designed to suffocate any semblance of normal life in Tirah. Militants are not just occupying the land, they are attempting to conquer the will of its people. But here’s the twist: this time, the people are not surrendering.
Tribes such as the Bar Qambarkhel have made their stance clear: they will not shelter terrorists, they will not pay Ushr, and they will not allow their land to be used for spreading bloodshed.
“We have decided in one voice, we will not host terrorists, nor will we give them a single rupee in ushr. Anyone cooperating with these enemies of peace will face social boycotts and tribal penalties”, declared Malik Zahir Shah, a leading elder of Bar Qambarkhel, during a recent jirga in Bagh-Maidan.
This is a rare and powerful moment, when the people and the state want the same thing: peace.
And yet, the operation that could secure this peace remains stuck in limbo, paralyzed not by lack of intelligence or resources, but by political indecision. The federal and provincial governments remain locked in a dance of blame and bureaucratic tug-of-war.
On one side, security officials have proposed a phased, decisive operation. Camps for displaced families are being prepared, financial compensation is being negotiated, and military readiness is apparent.
According to reports by Dawn and official sources involved in Tirah Valley, over 17,000 families are at risk of displacement in case of a full-scale operation. However, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has already begun preparations, with up to 5,000 tents surveyed for setup in Mastak and nearby areas.
On the other side, political leaders, absent from critical jirgas, either delay decisions or use the issue as a platform for grandstanding. Let’s call it what it is: a dangerous abdication of responsibility from political front.
To be clear, the concerns of the local population regarding displacement are valid. Families who have already suffered from years of war must not be left to bear the costs alone. The demand for financial compensation for destroyed homes, and a one-time, short-term military operation followed by permanent peace, are both reasonable and achievable.
But, what is unreasonable is to let militants regroup while officials argue logistics. What is unacceptable is to allow terrorists to dictate terms while politicians chase headlines. Tirah doesn’t need more statements, it needs action.
And yet, even in this chaos, a flicker of hope remains. The unwavering spirit of Tirah’s people, their refusal to bow to terror, is a signal to the state: We are with you, but you must act now.
This is not the time to appease opposition voices who attend press conferences, but not the funerals of the victims. This is not the time for political tokenism, where jirgas are held without real representation and decisions are postponed until the cost is too high. This is the time for clarity, for resolve, and for results.
A military operation in Tirah is not just necessary, it is inevitable. Delaying it only emboldens the enemy and endangers the people. The longer we wait, the stronger they become. The longer we debate, the weaker our message to both militants and civilians alike.
Let us remember: the Pakistan Army has time and again proven its capability to root out terror when backed by national will. Operations like Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad have set a precedent of victory. What we need now is political coherence and public support which already exists in Tirah.
History will ask us: when Tirah Valley cried for help, who answered? Let the answer not be silence, but a resounding declaration that the state will never abandon its people. Let the world see that when Khwarijs strike, the sons of the soil rise, not just in uniforms, but in tribal resolve and collective unity.
Tirah has made its decision. Now it’s the time we take a unanimous action and come out in support of our brave forces, who once again will put their lives at risk for our security. Peace is not a gift.
It is a prize earned through courage, and our forces is the living example of that resolve and courage. Let’s show the enemy that the nation stands firm, shoulder to shoulder with its soldiers!
