Mamond Families Flee as Military Operation Looms in Bajaur

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Escalating security concerns in Mamond tehsil, Bajaur District, have led hundreds of families to leave their homes amid fears of a possible military operation. Local sources indicate that residents are relocating to other parts of Bajaur and neighboring areas seeking safety as tensions rise in the region.

The district administration has issued an order requiring the removal of maize crops within 100 meters of main roads, citing security reasons. Farmers have been given three days to comply with this directive. Authorities say the measure aims to improve visibility and reduce the risk of ambushes along the roadways, which are considered vulnerable to militant attacks.

Bajaur borders Afghanistan’s Kunar province and has witnessed increased militant activity in recent months, particularly from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). This surge followed a roadside bomb attack earlier in the year that killed an Assistant Commissioner and two police officers. The administration’s crop clearance order forms part of broader security precautions designed to strengthen control over the area.

Efforts to resolve the escalating crisis through dialogue have so far been unsuccessful. The seventh round of the Bajaur Peace Jirga, a traditional tribal council, ended without agreement on August 8, 2025, due to disagreements over key terms. Jirga member Sahibzada Haroonur Rasheed confirmed the impasse but stated that efforts to find common ground continue, emphasizing the importance of restraint to protect civilian lives.

Following the stalemate, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur convened a meeting with Jirga representatives in Peshawar on August 9, indicating the provincial government’s concern over the deteriorating situation and the need for urgent intervention.

The displacement has raised humanitarian concerns, with many families forced to travel on foot to reach safer locations. The security-focused measures, while intended to address militant threats, have disrupted daily life and livelihoods for the local population.

The situation highlights the challenges faced in balancing effective counterterrorism efforts with the protection of civilians. Authorities continue to monitor developments closely as the region awaits a resolution to prevent further displacement and instability.