Operation Sarbakaf

The Bajaur District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, is currently home to Operation Sarbakaf, a significant effort against terrorists. The operation, which started on July 29, 2025, aims to find militant hideouts in Mamund Tehsil, especially in Lowi Mamund and Loi Mamund. This is part of a larger plan to bring peace to a region that has been plagued by terrorism. (Wikipedia

What is Operation Sarbakaf?

• Start date and place: The operation started on July 29, 2025, at Lowi Mamund Tehsil, Bajaur District. (Wikipedia)
• Main goals: Get rid of the militants in the border area. Specifically to eliminate the hideouts of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other insurgent groups that have been operating in the area. Restore security and normalcy. (Wikipedia)
• troops involved: Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, KPK Police, local tribal troops, and other security organizations. Air support (gunship helicopters, artillery) has also been used. (Wikipedia)

Major Events & Timeline

1. Initial Curfew: When the operation was initiated, a three-day curfew was imposed in 16 villages in Lowi Mamund Tehsil under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Movement of people, cars, and traffic was strictly limited during curfew hours. (The Friday Times)
2. Temporary Suspension of Military Action: Soon after the operation began, peace negotiations were arranged between insurgent leaders and the local Bajaur Amn Jirga (tribal peace council). A conditional ceasefire allowed for negotiations, and for a period the military offensive was delayed. (Aik News HD)
3. Resumption and Expansion: After negotiations broke down, the operation resumed. Curfews were re-imposed, expanded to further locations (27 villages), and military actions—shelling, air operations, clearing of hideouts—intensified. (Wikipedia)
4. Displacement & Humanitarian Response: As a result of escalated operations and curfews, tens of thousands of families fled. Estimates suggested roughly 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). Temporary shelters were constructed up, and tiny relief supplies were promised by government authorities. (Wikipedia)

Impact on Civilians

Every military operation unavoidably risks hurting civilians. Operation Sarbakaf is no different. The following are important impacts documented thus far:

• Civilian Casualties: Reports abound of children, women, and other non-combatants killed or injured. One mortar hit reportedly killed two children and their mother; others were injured. (Wikipedia)
• Displacement: As indicated, several families have left their houses ahead of curfews and operations. Schools have been repurposed into shelters. Basic services (food, access to health care) are affected in many villages. (Soch Fact Check)
• Curfews & Restrictions: The enforcement of Section 144 curfew and limitations on mobility have disrupted daily life—markets, transit, healthcare access are restricted. Residents report lack of advance warning or time to prepare. ([The Free Library][5])
• Damage to Property & Infrastructure: Some houses reportedly damaged in crossfire or when militants exploited residential areas as hideouts. Roads and communication links in curfew zones are closely regulated. ([The Free Library][5])

Reactions, Criticisms & Challenges

Operation Sarbakaf has received both support and resistance from different sources.

Support

• Security Rationale: The government and military argue that insurgent activities in Bajaur had been resurging. Operation is believed vital to reestablish governmental control and defend citizens from attacks, abductions, and extortion. (Dawn)
• Legal Mandate: Authorities have claimed constitutional authorities and authorized instruments like Section 144 to justify curfews and operations. They further contend that militant hideouts harm public safety. (Dawn) Criticism
• Lack of Consultation: Local elders, jirgas, tehsil authorities believe they were not properly consulted before imposition of curfew or beginning of the operation. Critics believe that local perspectives were ignored, fostering distrust. ([The Free Library] [5])
• Human Rights Concerns: Civilian casualties, displacement, suspension of key services have sparked concerns from rights groups and community leaders. Questions are asked: was enough done to minimize civilian harms? Was warning given? (Aik News HD)
• Humanitarian Logistics: There are reports that displaced families lack proper shelter, food, sanitation, etc. Some think the government pledges are not sufficient or delayed. (dailypakistannews.com)

Legal, Ethical & Policy Dimensions

In confrontations of this nature, policy, regulations, and ethics matter.

• International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and domestic legal frameworks mandate that military operations discriminate between militants and civilians, take steps to minimize harm, issue notice where possible, offer safe passage or evacuation choices. Critics say that some of these commitments are not being properly met in Operation Sarbakaf.
• Transparency & Accountability: Given allegations of civilian injury, transparency in investigation is crucial. Official counts of civilian casualty vary; local reports also disagree. Independent verification and recompense if harm is established are needed.
• Constitutional & Provincial Rights: Some political actors believe that operations over civilian areas require consultation with provincial government under Pakistan’s Constitution, especially under Article 245 (which deals with power of federal government in times of emergency or war). Critics say that such consultation was inadequate or lacking. (dailypakistannews.com)

What Needs to Be Done: Toward a Balanced Strategy

To make surgeries like Sarbakaf more effective and less dangerous, a series of steps could help.

1. Advance Warning & Evacuation Plans
   Ensure communities receive clear warning about operations/curfews. Facilitate safe evacuation or “safe zones” for non-combatants. Coordination with local jirgas, elders to aid with logistics.
2. Strengthening Civilian Protection Measures
   Rules of engagement should stress minimizing civilian harm. Use exact intelligence, avoid artillery or heavy shelling near residential areas unless absolutely necessary.
3. Public Communications & Transparency
   Provide timely updates on what is happening, independent verification of casualties, information regarding displaced persons and their needs.
4. Humanitarian Support Fast and substantial provision of shelters, food, medical care, clean water. Support for families evacuated, reimbursement when property is harmed.
5. Dialogue & Local Inclusion
   Involve local leaders, elders, tribal councils in planning and decision making. Use peace conversations where possible before and during operations.
6. Post-Operation Rehabilitation
   After military actions wind down, efforts must move to reconstructing infrastructure, restoring services (schools, clinics), and restoring trust between state and community.

Where Operation Sarbakaf Stands Now & Future Prospects

As of mid-August 2025:

• The operation is still active, with curfews extended to new villages, and military pressure continuing. (Wikipedia)
• The number of displaced families remains high. Some government compensation has been approved (e.g. PKR 50,000 per displaced family in some accounts). (Soch Fact Check)
• Tensions remain high: locals fear extended operations, insufficient relief, and yet more civilian casualties. Peace talks remain shaky, and confidence between villagers and security forces is fragile. Looking ahead, the success of Operation Sarbakaf will be judged not simply in how many terrorists are neutralized, but how efficiently peace, normal life, and rights are restored in the region.

Conclusion

Operation Sarbakaf is a high-stakes effort by the Pakistani state to confront extremist threats in Bajaur. While its objective to restore security is evident, the operation has already placed enormous costs on the civilian population. Curfews, relocation, damage, and loss of civilian life have aroused genuine concerns.

For Sarbakaf (and similar operations) to deliver its potential, a balanced approach is essential—one that combines credible security action with robust protection of human rights, meaningful local engagement, and post-conflict recovery. Only then will inhabitants of Mamund Tehsil and the greater Bajaur District have reason to trust that peace and stability are not just phrases, but living realities.