‘55,000 displaced as Pak forces launch ops against TTP’

Around 55,000 people were displaced from Bajaur tribal district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as Pakistani forces launched a large-scale “targeted operation” against militants in the restive region, bordering Afghanistan, a provincial lawmaker said.

The Pakistani forces launched the three-day offensive on Monday against militants in Bajaur district, a former stronghold of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), according to the provincial Home Department.

It said movement restrictions were imposed in around 27 areas of Lowi Mamund and War Mamund tehsils, lasting 12 hours in some areas and up to 72 hours in others. Locals were asked to vacate the area by the district administration. Several families left before the crackdown on militants, while others shifted to the government-run camps.