Tirah Operation: Residents Forced to Evacuate Homes During Severe Winter, Says Sohail Afridi

Peshawar – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has come under sharp criticism for forcing residents to evacuate their homes in Tirah valley during harsh winter conditions, with local leader Sohail Afridi condemning the timing of the military operation.
Speaking to media, Afridi stated that people have been compelled to abandon their homes and properties at a time when the region is experiencing severe snowfall and freezing temperatures. “The area where this operation is being conducted is experiencing such extreme weather that even animals cannot survive in these conditions,” he remarked.
The Tirah valley, located in the mountainous Khyber district, is known for its harsh winter climate, with heavy snowfall making living conditions extremely difficult during this season. Local residents are now facing the dual challenge of displacement and life-threatening weather conditions.
Afridi further revealed that the Afridi tribe did not consent to the operation through their committee members, raising questions about the consultation process with local communities. “The Afridi nation did not agree with the committee members on this operation,” he stated in his address.
The operation in Tirah has displaced hundreds of families who are now struggling to find shelter during one of the coldest periods of the year. Critics argue that conducting such operations during winter demonstrates insensitivity to the humanitarian impact on civilian populations.
Local elders and tribal leaders have called for immediate dialogue with provincial and federal authorities to address the concerns of displaced families and to seek alternative approaches that minimize civilian hardship. The situation has also raised questions about the timing and planning of security operations in sensitive tribal regions.