Peshawar: Curfew has been imposed in several areas and on key roads across five southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amid deteriorating law and order conditions.
The decision was taken by the district administrations of Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, Upper North Waziristan, Lower North Waziristan and South Waziristan.
According to orders issued by the district administrations, the movement of civilians and vehicles will be restricted in designated areas during the curfew. The timings vary from district to district according to administrative orders.
Security Situation Deteriorates in Southern Districts
The southern areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have witnessed an increase in militant incidents over the past several months.
Police and security forces have faced attacks on checkpoints, personnel and other targets.
A few weeks ago, curfew was also imposed in parts of Bannu, while police and security forces conducted joint targeted operations and claimed to have killed several militants.
According to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police statistics, more than 150 police personnel have been killed in militant incidents this year. From 2002 through July 2026, a total of 2,396 police personnel have lost their lives in the province.
The figures indicate that 2025 and 2026 have been particularly deadly years for police personnel.
Major Roads Closed in Tank
In Tank, the deputy commissioner issued an order restricting public movement on several roads because of the security situation.
According to the administration, traffic will be prohibited during the curfew on the Tank-Jandola Road, Tank-Dera Ismail Khan Road, D.I. Khan-Tank Bypass, Sadkai-Kot Pathan Road, Dial-Tank Bypass and Chandra Ghara-Meetho Road, among several other major and minor routes.
Police officials said the curfew in Tank was imposed on Monday, resulting in the closure of the main road connecting Tank with Waziristan.
The measure comes after militants recently attacked a police post in Tank. Fifteen police personnel were killed in the attack.
Restrictions on Selected Routes in Dera Ismail Khan
The administration in Dera Ismail Khan has also ordered the temporary closure of several roads because of security concerns.
Under the deputy commissioner’s order, movement will remain suspended from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the D.I. Khan-Tank Road, Kalachi-Hatala Road, Tikwara-Hatala Road, Kanwari Garha-Mohabbat Road, Chahkan-Darbari Road and Potaha-Kot Isa Khan Road, among other routes.
The Potaha-Hatala market has also been ordered to remain completely closed during the specified hours.
Police officials said the curfew applies to areas and roads connected to Tank, while no general curfew has been imposed in other parts of Dera Ismail Khan.
Curfew in Sarwakai and Ladha in Upper North Waziristan
Curfew has also been imposed in the Sarwakai and Ladha subdivisions of Upper North Waziristan because of the deteriorating security situation.
According to an order issued by the deputy commissioner, restrictions on unnecessary movement of civilians and vehicles will remain in place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Markets in the affected areas have also been ordered to remain closed during the curfew.
The roads affected by the restrictions include the Ladha-Makin Road, Makin-Tabisar Road, Sararogha-Kotkai Road, Spin Kamar Road, Dargai Bridge-Madi Jan Road, Shin Warsak-Mula Khan Sarai Road and Sarwakai-Mula Khan Sarai Road.
Restrictions from Wana to Dargai in Lower North Waziristan
The administration of Lower North Waziristan has also announced curfew restrictions in several areas.
According to the official order, several key roads from Wana to Dargai will remain closed to all traffic during the specified curfew hours.
The administration has advised residents to avoid unnecessary movement outside their homes during the curfew and to follow instructions issued by security authorities.
Ambulances and Fire Services Exempt
The orders issued by the district administrations provide exemptions for emergency services.
Ambulances, fire brigades and other essential emergency service vehicles will be allowed to move during the curfew.
In addition, individuals and vehicles requiring movement in emergency situations may be permitted to travel during curfew hours after obtaining prior authorization from the district police officer (DPO) or security forces.
Identification Documents Required
The administration has made it clear that authorized individuals or vehicle drivers traveling during the curfew must present identification documents, including their national identity card and vehicle papers, when required.
Residents have also been instructed to stop their vehicles approximately 50 meters away when they encounter a security forces vehicle.
According to the administration, the purpose of the curfew is not to cause unnecessary hardship to civilians but to restrict movement in sensitive areas amid the current security situation and provide a safer environment for police and security forces to carry out their operations.
