n the night between June 9 and 10, three Pakistan Army personnel were martyred in an attack on the security forces in Miran Shah, the capital of tribal district, North Waziristan. Once again, North Waziristan has become the target of militants. A region once completely swept from militancy by security forces six years ago.

Nine years ago this month, in June 2014, Operation Zarb-e-Azb commenced in North Waziristan. This operation concluded in February 2017, marking the end of a dreadful chapter of terrorism. North Waziristan had been the hub of terrorism in the entire country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Prominent terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, East Turkestan Islamic Movement, and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan openly operated there. The government’s presence was limited to mere offices, while the people and security personnel were subjected to brutal attacks. Suicide bombings, carried out by strapping explosives to the bodies of youths, and rocket attacks on security installations were frequent occurrences. People were being abducted and tortured, while American drones launched missile strikes from the sky. North Waziristan had essentially become a paradise for militants from around the world. The local Taliban faction, led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur, had become synonymous with the Haqqani network and Al-Qaeda.

The story of North Waziristan’s descent into chaos began on the night of January 7, 2006, with a militant attack on Hasokhel bridge. This incident marked the first major assault on security forces in North Waziristan.

Subsequently, the situation deteriorated to such an extent that in 2007, while passing through Miran Shah Bazaar with my colleague, journalist Nasir Dawar, an announcement was made over loudspeakers by Maulvi Abdul Khaliq from Miran Shah’s main mosque. The announcement stated that all government officials should vacate their offices by 5pm that evening, and the security forces should withdraw from North Waziristan. Consequently, North Waziristan fell completely under the control of militants. Datta Khel became a stronghold for the world’s most wanted militants. Hafiz Gul Bahadur, hailing from a poor family in Madakhel Wazir, rose to power with funding and support from Al-Qaeda. Although he was not part of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, he held a distinct status. Maulana Sadiq Noor, belonging to the Dawar tribe, maintained a strong influence over the allied forces in Afghanistan, resulting in Datta Khel being subjected to the highest number of drone strikes in all of Waziristan.

However, when Operation Zarb-e-Azb commenced, approximately one million people were evacuated from North Waziristan. The operation dismantled all training camps and disbanded militant organizations, forcing the leadership of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, including Hafiz Gul Bahadur, to escape to the Afghan provinces of Khost and Paktika. Following the elimination of militants, the Pakistan Army initiated development projects in North Waziristan. Roads, educational institutions, basic health centers, markets, and even a stadium were constructed. After the merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), the army attempted to transfer administrative control to the civil government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police were deployed in the region, and all necessary facilities were provided to the civil administration. Subsequently, the army handed over the administration to the civil government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Unfortunately, the provincial and federal governments of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in 2019 neglected North Waziristan, and billions of rupees in funds allegedly fell victim to corruption.

Following the elimination of militants, the Pakistan Army initiated development projects in North Waziristan. Roads, educational institutions, basic health centers, markets, and even a stadium were constructed. After the merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), the army attempted to transfer administrative control to the civil government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Due to the lack of provision of equipment, manpower, and buildings to the police, militants have once again become active in North Waziristan. Instead of confronting them, the government had resorted to negotiations. Hafiz Gul Bahadur demanded control over the entire Datta Khel Tehsil of North Waziristan.Later, the group resumed attacks on security forces. On the nights of June 9th and 10th, three officials were martyred in an attack on security forces in Miran Shah. Reports have emerged suggesting that the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group and fighters from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan are conducting joint operations, as revealed by a terrorism monitoring platform and a thinktank on security related issues in the region, The Khorasan Diary, in one of its tweets noted, “TTP has released an “unusual” statement claiming a joint attack with another key faction of Pakistani Taliban (Hafiz Gul Bahadur) against security forces in Jani Khel, district Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Previously there were indications that both the factions conducted few joint attacks in the region but this is the first publicly acknowledged attack, which indicates that in future both factions could collaborate more operationally.”

In the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in the tribal district of North Waziristan, war is once again looming. Recently, Sher Muhammad Wazir, the descendant of Faqir of Epi, who fought against British rule, was shot dead by unknown assailants in Mir Ali. Those familiar with tribal politics understand the magnitude of this tragedy. The entire area has become stagnant, and fear permeates the atmosphere. Although the Afghan Taliban have issued instructions to prevent Pakistani Taliban from infiltrating Pakistan, requiring them to vacate the border areas adjacent to Pakistan in Afghanistan and settle elsewhere in the country, it will be challenging for the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group to comply. In fact, it will not only be difficult but impossible for Afghan Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani to abandon his loyalists. The majority of Haqqani network commanders and fighters hail from eastern Afghanistan and the southern districts of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, particularly the tribal districts. If Siraj Haqqani loses their support,his own power in Afghanistan will weaken. In a democratic sense, they serve as Haqqani’s permanent combative voters or powerful electable for the battlefield, and he cannot afford to lose them.

Attacks on security forces and police personnel by TTP, Hafiz Gul Bahadur, and Daesh (ISKP) continue throughout the province. According to official reports, from January 2023 to May 2023, 141 police personnel were martyred and 222 were injured. However, on the other hand, our intelligence agencies have become increasingly active. In North Waziristan, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Mardan, Peshawar, Swat, and Dera Ismail Khan, security forces have been making consistent progress against militants. Several major militant commanders have been killed so far. They also have a significant number of targets. Recently, Iqbal alias Bali Kiara, the mastermind behind major sectarian operations in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was killed in a firefight with the law enforcing agencies. This success was attributed to our intelligence and forces. In Mardan, intelligence teams and police have also killed several TTP commanders during encounters. However, due to the storm of traditional politics on social media and mainstream outlets, citizens remain unaware of these significant achievements.

The writer is a Peshawar-based journalist, researcher and trainer