DERA GHAZI KHAN: In a decisive move to boost regional security, a tribal public Jirga led by Qaisrani tribal chief Mir Badshah Qaisrani, has revived the historic `Sandeman Defence Model` to counter terrorism and unlawful infiltration in the mountainous Sulaiman Range as well as settled area.

The Jirga has authorised local tribesmen to legally carry arms and assist law-enforcement agencies in protecting the region and maintaining peace.

The Sandeman Model, established in the late 19th century by British colonial officer Robert Sandeman, was a pioneering defence strategy that empoweredDERA GHAZI KHAN: In a decisive move to boost regional security, a tribal public Jirga led by Qaisrani tribal chief Mir Badshah Qaisrani, has revived the historic `Sandeman Defence Model` to counter terrorism and unlawful infiltration in the mountainous Sulaiman Range as well as settled area.

The Jirga has authorised local tribesmen to legally carry arms and assist law-enforcement agencies in protecting the region and maintaining peace.

The Sandeman Model, established in the late 19th century by British colonial officer Robert Sandeman, was a pioneering defence strategy that empoweredindigenous tribes to guard strategic mountain passes. In return, tribes received allowances and recognition from the colonial administration.

This approach recognised the logistical challenges of policing vast, rugged/tough terrain and turned local tribes into the first line of defence.

Before Partition, the Sulaiman Range faced frequent raids from tribes such as the Wazirs and Ustarana of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), who often targeted settled areas including Mangrotha in Taunsa Sharif. These incursions prompted the British to establish key security installations including the Lakhani Combat Post, the Border Military Police, and the Baloch Levy a paramilitary force tasked with defending provincial boundaries.

With the resurgence of crossborder militancy in recent years, tribal leaders in the region are now turning back to this historic model.

Recent threats from armed assailants crossing into the areafrom KP have reignited concerns over security. In response, the Qaisrani Jirga has called upon tribesmen to take up arms within legal bounds and support state security efforts.

`Our forefathers defended this land, and today, we must do the same,` said Mir Badshah Qaisrani.

`Our tribesmen will stand shoulder to shoulder with law enforcement agencies to ensure lasting peace in our homeland.

Security analysts argue that the Sandeman Model remains a viable strategy, particularly due to the tribal population`s cultural acceptance of arms and their intimate knowledge of the terrain. By formalising the role of local tribes in security efforts, the government can improve surveillance, disrupt terrorist networks and foster a stronger sense of communal responsibility.

As modern threats continue to emerge in the region, the revival of this century-old strategy may be key to securing the Sulaiman Range and preserving the stability of Wasaib (southern Punjab).