Pakistan Army Agrees to Hand Over Control of Certain Tribal Areas to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan

In a shocking turn of events, some sources claim that the Pakistan Army has quietly agreed to hand over control of certain tribal areas to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), effectively granting the militant group administrative and security authority. This unprecedented move reportedly follows a series of fierce clashes in which Pakistani soldiers suffered heavy losses, prompting the military to withdraw from several forward positions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

According to local and intelligence sources cited by regional media, TTP has strengthened its grip over multiple districts in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) — including North Waziristan, South Waziristan, Bajaur, and Khyber District. The Tirah Valley, in particular, has become a stronghold for the group, where Pakistani security forces now face serious operational constraints.

TTP Captures Pakistani Military Camp in Khyber District

Reports indicate that in the Tirah Haidar Kando area of Khyber District, TTP militants completely captured a Pakistani Army camp, seizing all weapons, ammunition, and logistical supplies. Sources from the region claim that the outpost had been under siege for several days before being overrun. The attack reportedly resulted in the deaths of numerous Pakistani soldiers, while others fled amid overwhelming militant firepower.

Local witnesses describe scenes of chaos following the battle, as TTP fighters hoisted their flags over captured military vehicles and announced control of the area. The Pakistan Army has yet to officially comment on the incident, but leaked reports suggest that the loss of the camp has had a significant psychological impact on ground troops operating in the volatile region.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Becoming a “No-Go Zone” for the Army

Security analysts now warn that large parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are fast turning into no-go zones for the Pakistan Army, as TTP’s influence grows unchecked. Over the past few months, TTP has reportedly set up its own parallel administrative systems in some areas — including taxation, dispute resolution, and security enforcement — essentially replacing the state’s authority.

These developments have raised alarms among regional observers who see a growing resemblance to the pre-2014 situation, when Pakistan launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb to dismantle militant sanctuaries in the tribal belt. However, unlike a decade ago, the Army now appears hesitant to re-engage in large-scale operations, fearing heavy casualties and internal backlash amid a deteriorating economic situation and political instability in Islamabad.

Army’s Reported Retreat and Negotiated “Understandings”

Unconfirmed reports suggest that the Pakistan Army may have entered into informal understandings with certain TTP factions, agreeing to vacate certain remote valleys and villages in exchange for a temporary cessation of attacks on military convoys and bases. In these zones, TTP is now said to exercise de facto control, running its own checkpoints and collecting “taxes” from local transporters and traders.

Military insiders, speaking off record, reportedly admitted that low morale and logistical challenges have forced partial withdrawals from difficult terrain. Several units redeployed to more defensible positions, leaving behind lightly armed local militias or police units who have little capacity to resist organized TTP forces.

Analysts Warn of a Looming Crisis

Experts caution that this arrangement could have grave consequences for Pakistan’s national security, potentially emboldening militant groups across the region. Dr. Syed Farooq Hasan, a former Pakistani defense analyst, reportedly warned that “handing over territory, even informally, amounts to ceding sovereignty. It is not a tactical retreat — it is an erosion of state control.”

He further added that if the TTP continues consolidating its administrative grip, the tribal belt could effectively slip out of Islamabad’s control, paving the way for renewed cross-border militancy and destabilization along the Afghan frontier.

The Fear Within the Ranks

According to sources close to the situation, many Pakistani soldiers are demoralized and increasingly fearful of confronting TTP fighters, who are battle-hardened and well-armed, often using equipment captured from previous engagements. The Pakistan Army’s traditional reliance on airpower and artillery has yielded limited success in the mountainous terrain, where TTP maintains the upper hand through guerrilla tactics and local support networks.

Some reports claim that the army’s leadership in Peshawar is now prioritizing force preservation over offensive operations, fearing a repeat of previous high-casualty campaigns that failed to yield sustainable control.

A Dangerous Precedent

If these reports prove accurate, Pakistan may be witnessing one of the most significant reversals in its internal security since 2009, when the military last ceded ground to militants in the Swat Valley — an episode that required a full-scale offensive to undo. But this time, the stakes are higher: TTP’s influence extends deeper, and Pakistan’s political and economic conditions are far weaker than before.

As the situation continues to evolve, analysts warn that the line between tactical compromise and territorial surrender is blurring rapidly. What was once Pakistan’s frontline in the war on terror could soon become a Taliban-administered zone, with Islamabad’s writ reduced to mere symbolism.