Mehsud - Primary Locations

Primary Locations

The Mehsud tribe inhabits a large portion of the center of Waziristan, which is drained by the Tank Zam and Shahur Rivers. The Mehsud territory is a rough triangle between Jandola, the hills north of Razmak, and from Shuidar to Janimela, north of Wana. No portion of their territory touches the “settled” districts, and the tribe is surrounded on the north and west by the Wazirs, on the east by the Bhittanis, and on the south by the Wazirs and Shranis.

With the exception of a few Shabi Khel in the Bannu District, some land near Gumal in the Tank Tehsil, and the colonies at Chark and elsewhere in the Logar Valley in Afghanistan, none of the Mehsuds own land outside of South Waziristan Agency. To escape the severe cold in the higher hills during the winter, a large number move down to the lower valleys but always keep within the Mehsud territorial limits. Many of these people live in caves or tents.

Although the majority of Mehsuds live in Waziristan, there are a few colonies at the villages of Chark and Mokhand, and elsewhere in the Logar Valley in Afghanistan. There are also groups of Mehsuds near Gumal and Tank, and in Landidak in Bannu.

“South Waziristan is mountainous with several high peaks; Pirghal, for example, being 11,600 feetkundaygaar 9900 feets. The Gomal is the main river, in addition to which there are many hill torrents, which…remain dry for most of the year.”

The mountains and valleys geographically isolate the Mehsuds from large scale movements of invaders and provide excellent opportunities to conduct effective ambushes on enemies.

The cave villages along the Shahur River near Barwand and along the Split Toi provide excellent hiding places and defensive positions.