Security operation in North Waziristan’s Shewa enters third day

MIRANSHAH: A large-scale security operation against militants continued for a third straight day in Shewa tehsil and nearby parts of North Waziristan, with reports saying seven militants, including two key commanders, were killed during search and clearance activities.

Security forces destroyed several militant hideouts as the operation expanded across multiple localities in the region. In the Dorwazanda area of Shewa tehsil, the Alam Khel Market was reported to have been almost entirely demolished during the operation. Local residents said militants had allegedly been using the market as hideouts and as routes for movement.

In the Anarkhel area, an alleged militant hideout and a residential compound were also destroyed with explosive material, sources said. They added that security forces had taken control of several important buildings and installations during the operation, including the Governor Model School, which militants were allegedly using for their activities.

Residents and local sources said door-to-door searches were continuing in Dorwazanda and adjoining areas, while additional contingents of security personnel had been deployed. Security forces also carried out raids at several suspected locations and reportedly recovered weapons and other materials.

According to reports, militants suffered heavy casualties during the ongoing operation. Sources claimed the militants killed were allegedly involved in attacks on security forces and police personnel, as well as incidents of targeted killings.

Operations were also launched in the Sarkhani area, where intermittent firing and explosions continued to be heard. A curfew remained in force across the affected areas, badly disrupting routine life and creating difficulties for residents.

Several families were said to have moved to safer places, while business activity remained fully suspended. Security officials said the purpose of the operation was to eliminate militant elements from the area and restore peace and stability.

Situation in Shewa

Shewa had historically been regarded as one of the relatively peaceful areas of North Waziristan. Residents mainly rely on agriculture, livestock and small businesses, and the area is known for its simplicity and strong tribal cohesion.

Even during military operations launched after 2014, locals say Shewa remained comparatively less affected, and normal life returned there sooner than in other parts of the district. However, residents say the security situation has worsened sharply over the past year.

They attribute the deterioration to a rise in targeted killings, quadcopter attacks and increased activity by outlawed militant groups. In March, after the evacuation of Dorwazanda, Alamkhel, Malokhel and Anarkhel villages in Shewa, families from nearby localities were also fleeing their homes to relatively safer districts.

In January, unknown attackers blew up a bridge over the Kurram River, which served as a vital link between several villages, adding to the difficulties faced by residents.