Curfew imposed in South Waziristan amid security concerns

• Complete curfew imposed on main route from 6am to 6pm.
• Route from Kaur Fort-Gomal-Girdawi to Wana to remain open.
• Authorities ask people to avoid travelling during curfew hours.
  

The district administration has imposed a 12-hour curfew in both lower and upper South Waziristan, starting tomorrow (Monday) at 6am, restricting public movement due to ongoing security concerns.

According to a notification issued by the office of Tank deputy commissioner on Sunday, the decision was taken on the "request of Law Enforcement Agencies due to heightened threat to their movement".

The curfew was imposed on main route from "Kaur Fort-Manzi-Khirgi-Kirri Wam to Jandola, District Tank on March 17, from 6am to 6pm".

However, route from the Kaur Fort-Gomal-Girdawi to Wana will remain open for all kind of traffic, the notification added. The authorities appealed to the people to cooperate with the security forces and avoid travelling during curfew hours.

The security situation in the area has been tense for the last several days in North Waziristan and the Lower and Upper South Waziristan districts.

Three days earlier, the Pakistan Army thwarted a terrorist attack on checkpost and killed 10 militants following a suicide attack in the Jandola area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's South Waziristan district.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the attempt to enter the post was effectively thwarted by the troops, forcing the terrorists to "ram an explosive laden vehicle into the perimeter wall".

A day later, a blast tore through a mosque in South Waziristan, leaving at least four people injured including district emir of Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), police said.

The country witnessed a sharp increase in terror attacks in January 2025, surging by 42% compared to the previous month, according to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), a think tank.

The data revealed that at least 74 militant attacks were recorded nationwide, resulting in 91 fatalities, including 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants. Another 117 individuals sustained injuries, including 53 security forces personnel, 54 civilians, and 10 militants.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained the worst-affected province, followed by Balochistan. In KP’s settled districts, militants carried out 27 attacks, resulting in 19 fatalities, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and two militants.

The tribal districts of KP (erstwhile Fata) witnessed 19 attacks, leading to 46 deaths, including 13 security personnel, eight civilians, and 25 militants.

Balochistan also experienced a surge in militant activity, with at least 24 attacks, which claimed 26 lives, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and nine militants.