Malakand insurrection (1994-1995)

| Date| 1 November 1994 - 19 June 1995

|

Location|

Malakand Division

Result|

Pakistani victory

* Suppression of rebellion

Belligerents
Pakistan|  TNSM
Commanders and leaders
Unknown|  Sufi Muhammad
Units involved

Pakistan Army

* XI Corps
* Artillery regiment
* Aviation Corps

FCKP(N)|  TNSM
Black turbans
Foreign jihadists
Strength
Unknown|  10000+
Casualties and losses
~12 killed|  ~28 killed
26+ wounded

Malakand revolt refers to an insurrection by Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi under the command of Sufi Muhammadin Malakand Division on the basis of a demand for Sharia law. Multiple areas were captured by the militants. The uprising was quashed by the Pakistan army, captured areas were liberated and a peace deal was negotiated. It was the first Salafi jihadist uprising in Pakistan.

## Background[edit]

In northwest Pakistan, three princely states Dir, Swat and Chitral were abolished and reorganised to form the Malakand Division in 1970[1]. This also abolished the laws of princely state especially the Sharia implementation in Swat [1]. During the Soviet Afghan war, many militants from this area went to Afghanistan for Jihad. Upon returning they started campaigning for Sharia law and established an organisation named as Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi.

## Rebellion[edit]

### November 1994 insurrection[edit]

In November 1994 , Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi under Sufi Muhammad led a revolt for the implementation of Sharia law in the Malakand Division.[2][3][1][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. A large number of Afghan Mujahideen from the nearby areas also came to aid the rebellion[2][1]. Timergara, the headquarters of Lower Dir, was besieged by government, artillery Shelling was carried out and fighting erupted in Swat [3][1]. The Saidu Sharif Airport, roads multiple police stations and judicial courts in the area were occupied by the militants[4][5][3][2][1]. The Sharia law was implemented in the occupied areas[3][1]. They imposed driving on the right side of the road as a symbol of discontinuing British traditions[1][4]. The militants established check points on mountain peaks to prevent military from entering[1][4]. Approximately 40 persons, including 12 security force personnel, were killed in a week of combat before the Government quelled the rebellion[2][3][1]. Pakistan army deployed combat and reconnaissance helicopters to the area[4]. The Frontier Corps was deployed to regain control of the area [2][4][5].

### December 1994 clashes[edit]

On December 4, 1994, 10,000 members of the TNSM started rally for the release of 85 captured militants but security forces responded with tear gas shelling [2][1] .

### June 1995 clashes[edit]

On June 19, 1995, the TNSM Chief Sufi Muhammad and 20 senior militants were arrested following an attack on security forces[2][1]. In response hundreds of TNSM cadres attacked and occupied Government offices in the Swat district wounding 26 people[2][1].

### Aftermath[edit]

After the introduction of the PATA Regulation, the provincial government recommended the introduction of the Shariah law. Nizam E Adl Ordinance was passed by Pakistani government which made it compulsory for the civil courts to seek advice of a Muawin Qazi, who was a religious cleric learned in Islamic law[1][11]. But militant presence in the area led to the First Battle of Swat.

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2. ^ a b c d e f g h "TNSM".
3. ^ a b c d e "Malakand division conflict and response".
4. ^ a b c d e f "Tension increases in north west Pakistan".
5. ^ a b c "Official incompetency fueled militancy in Swat".
6. ^ "Factbook, conflict in Pakistan's Swat".
7. ^ "Radical militant leader of swat dead".
8. ^ "1994 in Pakistan".
9. ^ "TNSM, mapping militant groups".
10. ^ "Pashtuns in Pakistan".
11. ^ "Instability in swat" (PDF).