Launched an operation against militants in Pakistan

• The operation against militants has led to a mass displacement of residents.
• The government provides assistance to the displaced in schools and government buildings.
• The Taliban in Afghanistan support Pakistani militants.

KHAIR, Pakistan — Pakistani security forces have begun an anticipated operation against militants in the northwestern region bordering Afghanistan, resulting in thousands of residents being forced to evacuate to safer areas, officials reported on Wednesday.

The official announcement about the start of the operation in Badghir, a former stronghold of Pakistani Taliban in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, was not made, but a government representative, Syed Ullah, stated that this is not a large-scale operation, and only hideouts of militants are being attacked to avoid civilian casualties.

Ullah estimated that approximately 20,000 families, or over 50,000 people, have left their homes in recent days due to fear of the operation. Residents reported that security forces, supported by helicopters, attacked militant hideouts in mountainous areas along the Afghan border.

Pakistan has previously conducted a large operation in Badghir against Pakistani and foreign militants in 2009, resulting in thousands of people also being forced to leave their homes.

Ullah added that many of the new displaced are housed in government buildings and schools, where the government provides them with meals and other necessary items.

The head of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police, Zulfiqar Hamid, reported that officials continue to gather information about those who have been displaced, and the operation is ongoing.

Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), is a separate group but closely linked to the Afghan Taliban, who seized power in neighboring Afghanistan in mid-August 2021 when U.S. and NATO forces completed their withdrawal after 20 years of war.

Many leaders and fighters of the TTP found refuge in Afghanistan and now claim to be reestablishing themselves there since the moment of the Taliban's takeover, which also has emboldened Pakistani Taliban.

Tags: Politics