Pakistan: Taliban faction takes control of town in FATA near Afghan border Nov. 15

Event

A faction of the Afghan Taliban reportedly took back control of the town of Wana (South Waziristan Agency, Federally Administered Tribal Areas - FATA), located at the Afghan border. The group entered the town under the guise of a “peace committee.” Salahuddin (alias Ayubi), the successor to Mullah Muhammad Nazir, a highly influential Taliban leader killed in a US-led drone strike in 2013, is heading the "committee."

The Taliban faction placed a ban on cultural and social activities and implemented a night curfew that comes into effect at 22:00 (local time); furthermore, women are banned from leaving their homes without being escorted by a male member of their family.

FATA authorities said they were not aware of any Taliban peace committee in Wana but acknowledged a recent displacement of civilians from the Shaktoi area of South Waziristan Agency.

Context

South Waziristan became a hotbed of Talibanization in 2003, which spilled over to other regions of the FATA as well as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The Afghan Taliban established rear bases there, which prompted the US to accuse Islamabad of harboring Taliban militants. It has been assessed that high ranking officials of the Afghan Taliban are protected by the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence, although Islamabad has denied any ties to the Taliban. This return to Wana represents a major setback for the Pakistani leadership, as it will prove increasingly difficult to continue denying the presence of the Taliban in the country. 

Advice

Due to the high threat of terrorism and other forms of violent crime, individuals in Pakistan are advised to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities, their diplomatic mission, or security manager. As a reminder, a number of Western governments advise their citizens against nonessential travel to the country. Travel to the country should only be considered with proper security protocols in place.