Bajaur Negotiations Hit Snag, Operation Sarbakaf May Resume

News Desk 

Bajaur: Peace talks between local militant commanders and the Bajaur Amn Jirga aimed at securing the militants’ return to Afghanistan broke down on Saturday, sparking fears of renewed military action in Lowi Mamund tehsil.

The discussions, part of an effort to avert further conflict, had earlier led to a temporary ceasefire and postponement of Operation Sarbakaf. However, the collapse of negotiations has left the local population anxious about the likelihood of a fresh offensive.

According to local reports, several families from 16 areas of Lowi Mamund have already fled to safer locations in the district, with more departures expected in the coming days. 

Sources said the failure to convince the militants to withdraw peacefully has “left no option but to resume Operation Sarbakaf to neutralise militants in the region, who pose a significant threat to peace and people’s lives.”

Deadlock Over Key Issues

On Friday night, Sahibzada Haroon Rashid, head of the 50-member Bajaur Amn Jirga, confirmed that the seventh round of talks with militant leaders “concluded without desired results owing to the development of a serious deadlock over some key issues necessary to resolve the conflict peacefully.”

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/anp-leader-maulana-zaib-shot-dead-in-bajaur/

Speaking after separate meetings with militant leaders and senior officials, Rashid said the jirga had “tried its best with sincerity and commitment” to secure a peaceful outcome, but was unable to break the impasse. He did not disclose the specific issues that stalled progress.

Rashid, accompanied by all jirga members—including PTI MPA Dr Hamidur Rehman and former MNA Gul Zafar Khan—urged both the security forces and the militants to show restraint and avoid harming civilians or damaging property in any potential clashes.

He added that both sides had assured the jirga they would spare non-combatants and their belongings in case fighting resumed. The jirga, he said, would remain active and work with local residents to prepare an action plan should the conflict affect them.

The jirga is expected to meet Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister in Peshawar to discuss the situation, though no statement on the meeting had been issued by the time this report went to press.