Muhammad Abbass
BAJAUR: The district administration in Bajaur has ordered the closure of 39 schools located near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border due to security concerns.
There are active border tensions throughout Bajaur district which specifically affect the regions of Loi Mamond, Wada Mamond, and Nawagai. Recent security developments have forced local authorities to establish protective measures in these areas.
Lodan Shahid who serves as Bajaur Deputy District Officer reported that Wada Mamond has 9 affected schools, while Loi Mamond contains 16 schools and Nawagai operates 14 educational institutions. The schools will observe a one-week closure period before they start their educational operations again.
According to Shahid, the authorities made this decision to protect both students and staff members amid the worsening border situation.
The district administration has implemented security measures through school closures, which will remain in effect until further notice, according to local authorities responding to emerging developments.
Officials confirmed that district education services will operate normally despite temporary school closures in specific areas.
The situation remains uncertain as officials advise people to stay alert while they work with security forces who are present in their area.
Pakistan Air Force, Army launch large-scale attacks on all border sectors of Afghanistan
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s security forces on Sunday evening carried out what officials described as a “punishment fire plan” targeting multiple forward posts of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA) across all sectors along the Pak-Afghan border.
According to security sources, the action was undertaken on Sunday evening in response to unprovoked firing by the TTA on February 26. The response involved artillery, mortar and air strikes aimed at degrading what were termed the group’s “military capabilities and allied infrastructure”.
Security Sources claimed that five additional TTA posts were captured during the day in different sectors as part of quick pursuit operations.
In areas including Tirah, Mohmand and Khyber, the TTA allegedly attempted to build up forces, which were “neutralised by effective and punishing fire”. Other attempts involving small-arms fire from a distance were also repelled through mortar and artillery fire, security sources added.
The military claimed that, based on field reports and intercepted communications, further casualties were inflicted on TTA fighters and allied elements.
They maintained that no casualties were reported among Pakistani security forces along the entire front.
A summary shared by security forces put confirmed TTA losses at 415 killed and over 580 injured. The statement further claimed that 182 posts were destroyed and 31 captured, while 186 tanks, armoured personnel carriers and other vehicles were destroyed. A total of 41 locations were said to have been targeted by air strikes.
The statement also asserted that at several locations along the front, TTA fighters had raised white flags, signalling a call for de-escalation and reluctance to continue fighting.
In the Zhob sector, security officials said the Ghudwana Enclave, a 32-square-kilometre area, remained firmly under the control of Pakistani forces. They added that nearby TTA posts in the sector had largely been vacated, with white flags raised.
Officials further stated that captured weapons, vehicles and equipment had been moved to the rear headquarters.
