MIRANSHAH, North Waziristan - Lawlessness continues to grip the borderlands of North Waziristan, where a tribal elder was executed by militants outside his home in the Darpakhel area early Friday morning, sparking fierce armed clashes between members of the Darpakhel tribe and the extremist group, according to local sources and security officials.
The incident has exposed the fragile nature of informal agreements between local tribes and militant factions, as well as the deteriorating security situation in the former tribal agencies bordering Afghanistan.
Malik Saifullah Khan Dawar, also known as Saiful Dawar, the head of a local jirga and a prominent figure from the Darpakhel tribe, was called out of his home in Shehzad Kot, Darpakhel area, and shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the early hours of May 1, 2026. The Darpakhel tribe owns approximately one-third of Miranshah, the district headquarters of North Waziristan.
According to local sources, the tension began the previous day when suspected militants entered the tribal domain seeking food and lodging. The Darpakhel tribe had previously held a pact with a Taliban faction to remain out of their territory. However, the militants who arrived were from a different group with whom the tribe had no agreement.
Malik Saifullah reportedly asked the militants to leave through an exchange of words that exasperated them. After initially departing, they returned early Friday morning, specifically calling him out of his home before executing him.
The killing triggered an immediate and rare response from the Darpakhel tribe. In a significant escalation, armed tribesmen mobilized and confronted the militants, leading to an intense exchange of fire that continued for several hours.
Local sources and security officials report significant casualties from the clashes:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Militants Neutralized | 4 killed |
| Militants Captured Alive | 3 taken into custody |
| Tribal Residents Injured | At least 4 (identified as Yaqoob, Fazal Karim, Mujahid, and one unidentified) |
| Markets | Closed due to panic |
| Residents | Confined to homes |
This marks one of the first reported instances since Operation Zarb-e-Azb in which local tribes in North Waziristan have directly engaged armed militant groups, rather than relying solely on security forces.
The Darpakhel tribe had maintained an understanding with one militant faction to keep them out of their territory. However, the extremists who arrived were aligned with a different commander-identified by local sources as Khalid Raza, also known as "Sallar Dawar," operating under the Gul Bahadur Group.
When Malik Saifullah refused their demands-which reportedly included extortion money-the situation escalated fatally. The breakdown of informal tribal-militant agreements signals a worsening security environment in the region, where such pacts have historically provided a buffer against violence.
The incident is the latest in a series of security deteriorations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's former tribal agencies. Earlier this week, another tribal elder, Malik Fazal Wahid, was killed in the Inayat Kallay Bazaar area of Bajaur district.
The killing has sparked widespread anger among local tribes, with elders expressing fear that such incidents will further destabilize the area. Residents have reported prolonged displacement from villages including Darozanda, Alamkhel, Malokhel, and Anarkhel, with families fleeing to safer districts such as Bannu, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, and Peshawar.
A heavy contingent of police arrived at the scene following the incidents, cordoning off the area and launching a search operation. Clearance operations are ongoing in the Darpakhel area to ensure full control and security.
Security forces have been informed and are closely monitoring the evolving situation. The three captured militants are currently in custody as investigations continue.
As of midday, no official statement had been issued by government or military authorities regarding the incident. Markets and business centers in Miranshah and surrounding areas remained closed, with residents staying confined to their homes due to fear of further violence.
North Waziristan, which borders Afghanistan, has seen a resurgence of militant activity following the Taliban's return to power in Kabul in 2021. The district, once cleared during Operation Zarb-e-Azb (2014-2016), has become a staging ground for cross-border attacks and militant regrouping.
The Darpakhel incident reflects a broader pattern:
Rising targeted killings of tribal elders who resist militant demands
Breakdown of traditional conflict-resolution mechanisms (jirga system)
Increasing civilian displacement due to security vacuum
Direct tribal mobilization against militants-a significant departure from recent years
The execution of Malik Saifullah Khan Dawar and the subsequent armed clash between the Darpakhel tribe and militants represents a dangerous escalation in North Waziristan's security crisis. As tribes take up arms directly against extremist groups, the region faces the prospect of prolonged violence and further displacement. With no official word from authorities and markets shuttered, the people of Miranshah wait anxiously for stability to return to their troubled borderland
