Mass exodus: Fearing operation, tribesmen take flight

MIRAMSHAH: Thousands of tribesmen have fled North Waziristan Agency since last month as fears of a military operation in the area grew after helicopter gunships pounded suspected hideouts of militants in Mirali and Miramshah subdivisions of the agency on January 21, tribesmen told The Express Tribune. Political Agent Siraj Ahmad Khan told journalists on Saturday that he had directed political administration officials to tell the tribesmen not to leave the agency as there was no fear of an operation. “A military operation is not imminent and there is no need for the tribesmen to flee,” Siraj claimed. Another political administration official said a large number of tribesmen have started migrating from Saidgi, Bangi Dar, Mada Khel, Kucha Mada Khel, Mezar and Manzar Khel areas of Ghulam Khan and Shawal Tehsils, while residents of Khushalai Tori Khel, Edak and Haider Khel have left from Mirali Tehsil and a large number of tribesmen have started to vacate homes in villages in the agency headquarters of Miramshah. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official confirmed that many residents as well as Afghan citizens living there for over two decades were trying to shift to Afghanistan. Jalal, an Afghan elder who has been living in Ghulam Khan Tehsil along with 50 other families for the last 30 years, said the families were trying to shift to Khost, Paktia and Paktika provinces of Afghanistan due to the deteriorating law and order situation. Another resident Gul Khan said that due to enmities and tribal feuds, he along with 25 families was trying to move to the Afghan provinces of Kunduz and Baghlan which are relatively safe. “All our business of non-custom paid vehicles has been destroyed,” he said, adding that he would not return. “No one will leave their land happily, but now as the operation is looming we cannot stay to die,” he added. In the mass exodus, passenger van driver Sultan Khan of Miramshah village said he was also shifting residents to Bannu. He said that people were fleeing along with their children and women, leaving behind a member of family to take care of valuables. He added that in the present situation, his rate for transportation has jumped from Rs150 per head to Rs300. The exact number of people evacuating could not be ascertained, as none of the officials were aware of the accurate figure. Political administration officials also declined to comment, as some remain in denial that there is a mass exodus taking place. However, local tribesmen told The Express Tribune nearly 50,000 tribesmen have fled the agency since last month. While some officials dismiss the evacuation as ‘routine’ and say that the tribesmen will return after a month, the vehicle stands at Miramshah Bazaar, Ghulam Khan Tehsil and Mirali Bazaar reveal a contrary situation. Published in The Express Tribune, February 23rd, 2014.