Curfew
The district administration of South Waziristan has announced the imposition of a 12-hour curfew in both Lower and Upper South Waziristan due to rising security concerns. The curfew will come into effect from 6 am to 6 pm on Monday, March 17, and will restrict public movement in the affected areas.
According to a notification issued by the office of Tank Deputy Commissioner on Sunday, the decision to enforce the curfew was taken at the request of law enforcement agencies due to heightened threats to their movement.
The curfew will be imposed on the main route from “Kaur Fort-Manzi-Khirgi-Kirri Wam to Jandola, District Tank.” However, the route from “Kaur Fort-Gomal-Girdawi to Wana” will remain open for all types of traffic.
The authorities have urged the public to cooperate with security forces and avoid traveling during the curfew hours to ensure the safety of both civilians and security personnel.
The security situation in South Waziristan has been tense for the past several days due to the increasing militant activity in the region. Three days ago, the Pakistan Army successfully thwarted a terrorist attack on a checkpost in the Jandola area of South Waziristan.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the militants attempted to breach the checkpost but were effectively repelled by the troops. The attackers then rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall. As a result of the army’s swift action, 10 militants were killed.
A day after the attack, a powerful blast targeted a mosque in South Waziristan, injuring four people, including the district emir of Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).
The recent surge in terrorist activities has raised serious concerns about the deteriorating security situation in the country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. According to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), Pakistan witnessed a 42% increase in terrorist attacks in January 2025 compared to the previous month.
The report revealed that 74 militant attacks were recorded across the country, resulting in 91 deaths and 117 injuries. The casualties included 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants. Among the injured were 53 security forces personnel, 54 civilians, and 10 militants.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa emerged as the most affected province, followed by Balochistan. In the settled districts of KP, militants carried out 27 attacks, leading to 19 fatalities, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and two militants.
Meanwhile, the tribal districts of KP, formerly known as FATA, witnessed 19 attacks, resulting in 46 deaths, including 13 security personnel, eight civilians, and 25 militants.
Balochistan also experienced a significant rise in militant activity, with 24 attacks that claimed 26 lives, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and nine militants.
The recent curfew in South Waziristan reflects the growing threat posed by terrorist elements in the region. Security forces are on high alert to prevent further attacks and ensure the safety of the local population.
However, the rise in militant activities highlights the need for comprehensive counter-terrorism strategies and enhanced intelligence operations to tackle the worsening security crisis.
