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PRIMARY LOCATIONS:
The Bhittani tribe resides in the area from the Gumal Valley in the south to Gabar Ghar Mountain in the north. On the political map, the area occupied by the Bhittani will include the territory between Waziristan and the Dera Ismail Khan District. Although most of the Bhittanis live in the above mentioned areas, significant diasporas also reside in the Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan Districts.
Sunni of the Hanafi Sect.
ALLIANCES:
The Bhittani are the hereditary enemies of the Mahsuds however, over the centuries they have joined with them
during important battles against invaders. In August 2007, Bhittani tribesmen threatened a Lashgar against
Mahsud tribesmen if they did not return 16 kidnapped Bhittani tribesmen.
They have also worked as spies and guides for their Mahsud neighbors and historically harbored outlaws and
fugitives. Mahsud raiders had to pass through Bhittani territory to enter the settled areas on several occasions, and were generally allowed to do so without opposition due to the numerical weakness of the Bhittani.
FEUDS/POTENTIAL TRIBAL
FRACTURE LINES:
Marwats v. Bhittanis: Proverbs have been written to describe the longstanding feud between Marwats and
Bhittanis, they include:
“Become a thief, may God be with you.”
- The Marwats have always accused the
Bhittanis for grabbing land from them,
for highway robberies, and
kidnappings. These accusations
continue even today. If the Bhittanis
have a problem with the government,
they often block the roads passing
through Marwat territories to show
protest.2
“Big Eyed” - The Bettanis are known to
laugh at the Marwats for having big
eyes. It is said Marwat lands seldom see
any rain and are therefore mostly dry
and sandy whereas its people searched
all of the heavens but still didn't find
any rain; hence they remained big eyed.
The Bettanis reply saying since they
don't have any thing of value in their
fields, why complain about us grabbing
them.3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The Bhittanis claim descent from
Baitan, the third son of Kais, the
founder of the Pashtun group.
Bhittanis are also referred to as: Bitani,
Bhitani, Battani, Bhetanni or some
similar variations thereof. Some
families who reside in Baluchistan refer
to themselves as Bottani.
Their hill territory is mostly bare, rocky
and uncultivated, although some wheat
is grown and the land supports small
numbers of sheep and cattle.
The Bhittani occupy the land between
Waziristan and the Dera Ismail Khan
District, mainly the Waziristan foothills
from Gabar Ghar Mountain in the north
to the Gumal Valley in the South. The
majority of the Bhittani live in the tribal
areas; however, substantial numbers of
them can be found in the Bannu and
Dera Ismail Khan Districts.
They are divided into three main
divisions and areas as follows:
• Tatta - Jandola, Saraghar and the
Tank tehsil of the D. I. Khan
District.
• Dhanna - On the Gabar
Mountain and in the Bannu
District.
• Waraspun - In the Tank Tehsil
and villages in the foothills
adjoining the plains.
MAJOR TOWNS:
• Jandola
• Juma Gul and Nashkora Pall -
villages of cave dwellings on the
Spin Lindai algad
• Bannu:
o Area: 1,227 sq kms
o Population: 677,346
o Population density: 552
persons per sq km
o Annual growth rate: 2.81%
o Urban ratio: 7%
o Main clans: Bannochis, Wazirs
and Marwats. Small tribes
include Bhittanis, Syeds and
Awans
o Religion: Muslims 99.5%;
Ahmadis 0.3%; Christian
0.19% and Hindus 0.03%
o Main Languages: Pushto
98.3%; Punjabi 1.03% and
others
o Literacy rate: 32.11%
o Economically active
population: 18.97% of the total
population
o Main occupations:
Professionals 5.7%;
Agriculture workers 39%;
Elementary occupations
23.7%; Service and shop
workers 9.23%; Craft and
related trade workers 6%;
Others 16.2%
• Lakkimarwat:
o Area: 3,164 sq km
o Population: 490,025
o Population density: 155
persons per sq km
o Annual growth rate: 3.2%
o Urban ratio: 9.6%
o Main clans: Sub-traibes of
Maewat clan including
Sikander Khel, Achu Khel and
Behram Khel. Syed Marwats
with sub-trtibes Dallo Khel,
Abba Khel and Matora. Small
clans include Bhittanis,
Wazirs, Awans and Khattaks.
o Religion: Muslims 99.7%,
Ahmadi 0.3%
o Main Languages: Pushto
99.3%; Others 0.7%
o Literacy rate: 29.7%
o Economically active
population: 16.3% of the total
population
o Main occupations:
Technicians 4.9%; Agriculture
workers 47.5%; Elementary
occupations 17.8%;
Professionals 6.9%; Craft and
related trade workers 3.8%;
Plant and machine operators
6.2%; Clerks 3.2%;
KEY TERRAIN FEATURES:
VALLEYS: Gumal, Tak Zam
PLAINS: None
MOUNTAINS: Spin Ghar, Gabar
(Gabbar)
RIVERS: Tak Zam, Larzan, Shuza
WEATHER:
Summer month of May to September
range from 110° F to 80° F. The winter is
cold and severe with temperatures
ranging from 50° F to 30° F and snow in
the upper elevations.
INFLUENCE OF LEADERSHIP:
Their organization is looser and
generally they do not recognize one
chief.
Malik Saeed Khan Bhittani: during a
jirga with tribal chieftains from Mehsud,
Ahmadzai Wazir, Salman Khel, Dautani
and Bhittani in Tank, the Malik assured
Frontier Corps Commander Lt. General
Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai that “The
tribesmen promised in 1948 they would
live and die for their homeland. We
renew our solemn pledge today that we
will not hesitate to sacrifice our lives to
defend our country.”5 This was said in
response to the possibility of war
between Pakistan and India.
Zafar Beg Bhittani: Member of National
Assembly, Frontier Region (FATA);
from Ali Khel Tehsil District.
Maulana Muzafar Shah: tribal
representative
HOSPITALITY WITH TALIBAN/AQ:
On April 5, 2006, Maulana Asmatullah,
who claims to be the Taliban chief in
Jandola, asked every adult to grow a
beard or severe punishment will be
awarded after the deadline expires.6
PERMANENT ARMY/ FRONTIER
CORPS/ SCOUT LOCATIONS:
Jandola - headquarters of the South
Waziristan Scouts
1 Dawn, “Waziristan clashes leaves 12 dead” 17
August 2007
http://www.dawn.com/2007/08/17/top4.htm
(February 11, 2009).
2 Khyber Gateway, “Pashto Proverbs”
http://www.khyber.org/pashtolanguage/pashtoprover
bs/classlocal-f.shtml (February 11, 2009).
3 Ibid.
4 Wylly, H.C. From the Black Mountain to
Waziristan. Sang-e-Meel Publications, Lahore,
Pakistan 1912.
5 Zakir Hassnain, “Waziristan Tribes vow to fight
India alongside army,” Daily Times, 11 June 2002
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=stor
y_11-6-2002_pg7_15 (February 11, 2009).
6 Only Punjab, Asia News desk, April 5, 2006.
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