Claims of a large-scale military operation in Tirah have been widely circulated, but ground realities indicate a very different situation. What is underway is not a conventional military offensive but the continuation of targeted Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs), alongside a jirga-backed local arrangement aimed at minimizing civilian harm while addressing the presence of militants in the region.
Across Pakistan, IBOs are being conducted regularly by law enforcement agencies, including police, intelligence agencies, and the army. These targeted operations have become the backbone of the country’s counterterrorism strategy. More than 75,000 IBOs were conducted in the last year alone, averaging over 200 operations per day. These actions have proven highly effective, with 2,597 terrorists and their facilitators neutralized in a single year — the highest number recorded in any calendar year. Security agencies have further enhanced their performance through improved tactics, technology, and procedures. Unlike large-scale military operations, IBOs are designed to strike specific militant targets without causing population-wide suffering, thereby reducing both civilian hardship and the propaganda space for terror facilitators and their political backers.
Tirah has long been affected by the presence of militants, referred to by security sources as Kharjis, who are described as being supported by a parallel terror economy linked to narcotics and aided by political patrons. These elements have embedded themselves within civilian populations, used locals as human shields, operated quadcopters, and stored explosives and improvised explosive devices inside residential areas. Given these complexities, authorities have relied on intelligence-driven operations rather than a broad military offensive to avoid large-scale collateral damage.
In September, local elders, along with representatives of the provincial government and local security officials, convened a jirga to explore a solution that could end the presence of these militants while also reducing risks to civilians during ongoing operations. Three options were discussed: the jirga would engage militants directly and ask them to leave Tirah; security forces would continue or intensify IBOs; or the local population could voluntarily relocate temporarily to allow security forces to operate exclusively against militants. The jirga initially chose dialogue, but militants reportedly refused to leave, disregarding local traditions and Pakhtunwali norms.
After months of deliberations, the jirga opted for a voluntary relocation arrangement aligned with traditional seasonal migration patterns toward Bara and nearby areas. Officials stress that this was not forced displacement at any stage. Instead, it was described as a mutually agreed plan following consultation, with compensation provided by the government. The objective was to separate civilians from militants so that security forces could act with greater precision and lower the risk of civilian casualties.
Claims of a large-scale military operation, however, do not align with observable indicators. There are currently six army units in Tirah — the same number that has been present for over a year. Historically, major operations involve the induction of significant additional forces, which has not occurred. Furthermore, winter conditions and snowfall in Tirah’s terrain make this period unsuitable for launching large-scale military campaigns. Another key indicator is the absence of army-run screening centers and checkpoints typically established during operations involving forced displacement. At present, movement registration and control points are being handled by civil administration, not the military.
These factors raise serious questions about the narrative of a major operation. Security analysts note that counterterrorism environments often become battlegrounds for political narratives, which can create confusion, complicate ongoing efforts, and inadvertently provide breathing space for militant groups. Officials argue that misinformation distracts from the core objective — removing armed elements embedded among civilians while minimizing harm to the local population.
The situation in Tirah, therefore, reflects the continuation of targeted intelligence-based operations, supported by a jirga-backed voluntary relocation decision, with no evidence pointing toward a conventional large-scale military offensive. In conflict-affected areas, separating facts from political rhetoric remains essential for understanding the true picture on the ground.
