Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shahab Ali Shah has said that an intelligence-based operation is currently underway in Bajaur and this is not a large-scale initiative.

He said that the aim of this operation is to prevent terrorists from moving to other areas.

Speaking to the media in Peshawar, the Chief Secretary explained that houses located near the road in Bajaur are being cleared and it is hoped that the area will soon be declared completely safe, after which people will be able to return to their homes.

He also mentioned that the consultations with the local jirgas and administrations were held to discuss the procedure for restoring normalcy.

Shah emphasised that the terrorists present in the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have come for a meaningless war without any purpose. Where terrorists come, there is no business, no education, nor any other social activity.

The Chief Secretary said that the job of a terrorist is to attack, while the job of the police and security forces is to protect the lives and property of the people.

In a related noted, Pakistani security forces have initiated a “targeted operation” against militants in Bajaur, which borders Afghanistan.

Officials report the thousands of resident have been displaced to safer areas due to operation.

Although there has been no official announcement regarding the operation’s launch but it has been confirmed that it specifically targets militant hideouts to minimize civilian casualties.

This operation follows a significant military campaign in Bajaur in 2009, which aimed to combat both Pakistani and foreign fighters, resulting in the displacement of millions.