• Sources say four terrorists killed
• Local elders allege civilian casualties
• Residents stage protest in War Mamund area
BAJAUR: Security forces backed by gunship helicopters and artillery launched ‘Operation Sarbakaf’ against terrorists in Lowi Mamund tehsil here on Tuesday and imposed a three-day curfew in the region.
According to a notification, the administration imposed restrictions on all kinds of movement in 16 areas of Lowi Mamund on the recommendation of the district intelligence coordination committee.
The areas where curfew has been imposed include Bad-i-Siah Tharkho, Irab, Gat, Agra, Khurchai, Dawagai, Kalan, Legharai, Kitkot, Gillai, Nakhtar, Zarai, Dambarai, Amanato and Zagai.
The notification said that the restrictions were imposed to ensure safety of people during the operation.
“I am satisfied that such restrictions are necessary to maintain peace, security and public tranquility. I, the deputy commissioner of Bajaur, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me under Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, hereby impose a ban on all kinds of movement of individuals outside houses, on roads, vehicles and all forms of traffic on all roads in the aforementioned villages of Lowi Mamund tehsil of Bajaur, with effect from July 29, 2025, to July 31, 2025 (from 5am to 5pm),” said the notification.
Soon after issuance of the notification, security forces backed by gunship helicopters and artillery launched an operation against terrorists in several areas of Lowi Mamund at around 9am.
Sources told this scribe that security forces launched the fresh targeted operation named ‘Operation Sarbakaf’ to eliminate terrorists in different areas of Lowi Mamund tehsil where they had been active for the past several weeks.
They said that senior officials of security forces and district administration held a meeting with a delegation of local elders and political leaders on Friday to take them in confidence about the operation.
Sources said that members of the delegation initially expressed reservations over the operation, fearing civilian casualties and collateral damage.
However, officials assured them it would be a targeted operation aimed at eliminating terrorists, who posed a serious threat to peace in the district.
Sources said that at least four terrorists were killed, around 12 were wounded and about 10 were captured alive by security forces in different areas of Lowi Mamund tehsil during the operation.
However, it was not confirmed officially by security forces and police.
Locals claimed that two civilians, including a child, were killed and eight others, two children and a woman among them, were wounded in different areas in clashes between security forces and terrorists.
The residents of Lowi Mamund tehsil told this scribe that few houses of locals in various areas were also reportedly targeted after militants took shelter in them.
Meanwhile, MPAs Dr Hamidur Rehman, Anwar Zeb Khan and Mohammad Nisar Khan; former MNA Gul Zafar Khan; and the special assistant to prime minister, MNA Mubarakzeb Khan, condemned the operation and imposition of curfew in the area.
They said that in their social media posts that such actions and restrictions were totally against the people of Lowi Mamund tehsil.
