Miranshah (Kubha News)— The Pakistani Army is preparing for a possible operation against militant factions in North Waziristan, specifically targeting the Gul Bahadur Group and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Local sources in Miranshah told Kubha News that the activities of the Taliban under the leadership of Hafiz Gul Bahadur in Mir Ali and Data Khel areas of North Waziristan have increased significantly last year, resulting in the highest number of military casualties in these areas.
According to the sources, various groups of the TTP and the North Waziristan Mujahideen Council have transferred large quantities of weapons to North and South Waziristan last winter. These weapons were reportedly acquired as “booty” following the fall of the Afghan Republic government, left behind by Afghan, US, and NATO forces.
“ The Gul Bahadur group has advised its fighters to retreat from the plains of Mir Ali and Data Khel to the mountainous regions in anticipation of the military operation”, according to the source.
A source close to the Afghan Taliban told Kubha News that, while the TTP has reduced large-scale attacks in Pakistan due to pressure from the Taliban government, it has strategically positioned its fighters and established centers in tribal areas to counteract ongoing pressure.
Recently, the Pakistani army evacuated outposts around Zher Ghar in Mir Ali following continuous attacks by the Pakistani Taliban on supply convoys to these positions.
Analysts suggest that foreign fighters, particularly those affiliated with the Al-Qaeda network and its branch in the sub-continent, seek to reestablish themselves in North and South Waziristan with the support of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. Consequently, Islamabad aims to engage Washington more actively in the region through a new approach.
The Pakistani military’s limited capability for operations in North Waziristan has led the country’s chief of staff to engage in diplomatic efforts, including frequent trips to the United States and Saudi Arabia, to secure cooperation in addressing internal insurgent threats.
Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department, confirmed in a press conference that Washington and Islamabad have agreed on technical assistance against terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and along the Durand Line.
“We confirmed with Pakistan today our bilateral intention to increase our capacity to meet emerging threats, specifically to increase communication on terrorism – specifically terrorism trends and movements of concern – in a way that is not just actionable within Pakistan but also between our two countries,” Patel stated. He added that the agreement includes counter-IED investigations and technical assistance at Pakistan’s western border.
This agreement was made during the last visit of General Michael Eric Kurilla, commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), to Pakistan.
In 2014, the Pakistani army conducted Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan, resulting in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. Despite these efforts, the wave of terrorism persisted, attributed to Pakistan’s support for extremist groups.