Bajaur: Three-day curfew imposed amid expected anti-militant operation

PESHAWAR: A three-day curfew in more than 25 villages in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from August 11 to 14 with regard to planned targeted operations against militants.

According to a statement issued by the deputy commissioner Bajaur, with approval from the Home and Tribal Affairs Department, the curfew came into effect today at 11 a.m.

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It will remain in place until 11 a.m. on August 14. On roads including Khar Munda Road, Khar Nawagai Road, Khar Pasht Salarzai Road, and Khar Sadiqabad Inayat Kalli Road, movement will be restricted from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

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During the operation, residents are barred from leaving their homes or gathering on roads. The restricted areas include Laghrai, Gowati, Ghanam Shah, Bad Siah, Kamar, Amanta, Zagai, Gat, Ghunday, Dag, Dama Dola, and Sheen Kot, among others.

Authorities have warned that violators will be held responsible for any untoward incident.

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The curfew follows the failure of a jirga with militants, prompting fears of an imminent security operation.

Thousands of residents from sensitive areas have already moved to safer locations. In response, 107 government schools have been vacated to accommodate displaced families.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has begun setting up a temporary relief camp in Khar, with aid supplies being transported by trucks.

ANTI-MILITANT OPERATION

Last month the Bajaur administration imposed a three-day curfew at 16 places of the and initiated an operation against militants in the areas.

Bajaur under curfew as security forces launch anti-militant operation

Security forces had launched a targeted offensive, codenamed Operation Sarbakaf, to eliminate terrorists operating in various parts of Lowi Mamund tehsil, where militant activity has been reported for several weeks.

Officials said senior members of the security forces and the district administration met a delegation of local elders and political leaders on Friday to brief them and seek their support for the operation.

The operation was severely criticized by several, political parties.

Awami National Party President Aimal Wali Khan alleged that innocent people were injured in the operation and called on the violence to stop.

The Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl also said that it could not support the operation.