Prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani's government had ordered the Pakistan Army to launch an operation against the Taliban forces in the tribal district of Khyber Agency.

According to the Prime minister, the operation was aimed at the Mangal Bagh, a Taliban commander, and was launched as last resort.

[7] The 40th Infantry Division carried out aggressive military campaigns against Tehreek-e-Taliban Lashkar-e-Islam and its rival, Ansarul Islam.

[10] Both kidnappings were perpetrated by the Islamist group Lashkar-e-Islam, which was the target of Operation Sirat-e-Mustaqeem in Khyber Agency.

[7] During the weeks of fighting, the 40th Infantry Division had taken control of a key town and demolished the LeI's military infrastructure.