Confusion and false claims have once again surrounded the security situation in Tirah, with some political voices and social media accounts alleging that a large-scale military operation and forced displacement are underway.
The facts on the ground however, tell a very different story.
What is happening in Tirah is part of Pakistan’s long running intelligence-based counterterrorism effort combined with a voluntary and locally agreed arrangement to protect civilians and dismantle terrorist sanctuaries.
Tirah, over the years, had turned into one of the most complex security challenges in the region. Khariji networks, supported by a drug economy and outside facilitators had embedded themselves inside civilian areas.
They were not only using locals as human shields but were also storing explosives in populated areas and even operating quadcopters. This made normal counterterrorism action risky and increased the danger of civilian harm.
How Tirah became a complex terrorism challenge
Unlike the false image being circulated, Tirah was not suddenly targeted. It had gradually evolved into a sanctuary where terrorists, criminal networks and their facilitators operated from within the population.
This created a situation where even precise actions carried the risk of collateral damage. That is why the issue was taken to local elders and the provincial authorities.
In September, a jirga was held with the participation of community leaders, the KPK government and security officials. Three options were discussed. The first was to ask the Khariji to leave peacefully.
The second was to increase intelligence-based operations. The third was a voluntary, temporary movement of the population so that terrorists could be dealt with without civilians in the middle.
The jirga did engage the Khariji’s, but they refused to listen showing complete disregard for local traditions and public demands. After months of discussion, a mutually agreed solution was chosen.
People would move out voluntarily in line with their normal seasonal migration, and the government would compensate them. At no point was this forced.
Why Pakistan relies on intelligence-based operations
Pakistan today relies mainly on intelligence-based operations, or IBOs, rather than large-scale military campaigns. Last year alone, more than 75,000 such operations were conducted across the country averaging over 200 per day. These resulted in the elimination of 2,597 terrorists and facilitators the highest number ever recorded in a single year as reported by Pakistan’s military media wing ISPR.
The reason for this approach is simple. IBOs are precise, targeted and designed to avoid civilian suffering. They reduce the need for mass displacement and deny terrorists and their supporters the propaganda space they seek.
Why claims of a “military operation” do not stand
The claim that a major operation is underway in Tirah collapses under basic scrutiny. There has been no new troop buildup. The same number of units that have been there for over a year are still present.
Winter, with heavy snow, is not a campaigning season for large operations. And there are no army-run screening or clearance points which are a standard feature of real operations. The limited control points that exist are being run by the civil administration.
Pakistan is following a careful, lawful, and civilian-centered approach. The aim is not to displace people but to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries and restore lasting peace. The noise of propaganda cannot change the facts on the ground.
Read more: How a Centuries-Old Winter Migration in Tirah Became a Social Media Disinformation Campaign
