KHYBER: Negotiations between a 100-member jirga representing all tribes of Khyber district and members of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Noor Wali group concluded without any agreement on Monday, after the militants insisted on the full implementation of Sharia across the country and unhindered movement in the border areas of the newly merged tribal districts.
The jirga was formed earlier this month after tribal elders and representatives met the Inspector General of Frontier Corps (IGFC) at FC Headquarters Peshawar on October 2. During that meeting, the top military commander reportedly told the tribal elders that they must either vacate their homes to make way for a possible military operation or take responsibility to prevent terrorists from launching attacks on security forces. He warned that if neither option was accepted, the military would initiate a decisive operation against the proscribed groups in Tirah valley.
Following this, the jirga volunteered to hold direct talks with outlawed groups, including TTP, Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group and Lashkar-i-Islam, in an effort to persuade them to leave the volatile Tirah region. The talks took place in the backdrop of the September 22 Shadaly village incident, in which 21 people died. While security officials claimed the deaths were caused by an accidental explosion at an ammunition depot, locals alleged that airstrikes targeted civilians.
According to sources, the jirga travelled to a hilly area of Kaloona in Malakdinkhel on Monday after receiving clearance from local intermediaries. A temporary ceasefire was agreed to on Sunday to allow safe passage. The talks were held under tense and uncertain conditions as the militants were fearful of airstrikes or a ground assault, and frequently changed their locations.
Two other groups — Lashkar-i-Islam and Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group — did not participate due to lack of communication. Some jirga members were also reportedly against engaging with groups through what they called a government-backed jirga.
A senior jirga member said they tried to convince TTP commanders that their armed struggle was causing immense suffering to innocent people, destabilizing the region, and leading to displacement and insecurity. However, the TTP’s Noor Wali group refused to agree to anything less than a guarantee of complete Sharia implementation in Pakistan and free movement of their fighters in the merged districts. They also cited the Taliban’s “victory” in Afghanistan as justification for their demands.
The hour-long negotiations were marked by moments of tension, including one incident when an armed militant suddenly entered the mosque where talks were underway, whispered to a commander, and created commotion among the TTP representatives.
The jirga members returned to Bara the same evening and are expected to brief senior security officials in Peshawar in the coming days about the militants’ demands and the deadlock in talks.
