Thousands flee Pakistan’s Tirah Valley amid alleged military ops

Tens of thousands have fled the remote mountainous region of Tirah Valley in northwestern Pakistan in recent weeks, residents say, following evacuation warnings broadcast from mosques. The announcements urged families to leave ahead of a possible military action against Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan militants.

Situated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa near the border with Afghanistan, the Tirah Valley has long been a volatile area due to ongoing conflict. Despite heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, residents reported moving to nearby towns to avoid being caught in what many believed was an imminent Pakistan military operation.

Residents detail the exodus
“The announcements were made in the mosque that everyone should leave, so everyone was leaving. We left too,” said Gul Afridi, a shopkeeper who relocated with his family to the town of Bara, approximately 71 km east of Tirah Valley.

Local officials, who requested anonymity, said thousands of families have been displaced and are being registered for assistance in nearby towns. The journey, however, has not been easy. Afridi described treacherous snowbound roads and food shortages, saying it took his family nearly a week to reach safety.

“Here I have no home, no support for business. I don’t know what is destined for us,” he added while waiting to register at a government school in Bara.

Abdur Rahim, another resident, rejected claims that weather was the sole reason for the exodus. “No one left because of the cold,” he said. “It has been snowing for years. We have lived there all our lives. People left because of the announcements.”

Abdul Azeem reported that families were stranded for days and that children died during the journey. “There were a lot of difficulties. People were stuck because of the snow,” he said.

Official denials
Despite the mass movement, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif denied any operation was planned or underway in Tirah. He claimed the displacement was a routine seasonal migration due to harsh winter conditions.

However, a Pakistani military source familiar with the situation contradicted that narrative. The source revealed that the relocation followed months of consultations with tribal elders, district officials, and security authorities concerning the presence of militants operating among civilians in Tirah Valley.

Civilians, they said, were encouraged to evacuate to reduce the risk of harm as “targeted intelligence-based operations” continued. Due to the difficult terrain and severe winter, the source added, there had been no large-scale military build-up.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi stated that his government had not been informed about the relocation or any military activity in the region. He alleged the displacement was a result of “closed-room” decisions taken without provincial input. Afridi dismissed federal claims of voluntary migration, saying families were being forced out under the pretext of a security operation despite extreme conditions.

Tirah Valley in context
Tirah Valley remains a key area in the broader Khyber Pakhtunkhwa conflict, known as a stronghold for Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. The group has conducted numerous attacks against Pakistani security forces over the years.

The area came under national focus in September following a deadly explosion at a suspected bomb-making site. Conflicting reports emerged over whether civilians were among those killed.

As winter continues and security tensions persist, the displaced families of Tirah Valley remain uncertain about when, or if, they can return to their homes.