On Monday, September 22, Pakistan’s volatile northwestern region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa once again lived up to its reputation as one of the world’s most dangerous places. The Pakistani Air Force launched a deadly airstrike on its own soil, dropping eight LS-6 precision-guided glide bombs on villages in the Tirah Valley. The strikes killed at least 30 people — all of them civilians, including women and children. This tragic incident has sparked outrage, confusion, and raised pressing questions: why would Pakistan turn its firepower on its own citizens?

The Deadly Strikes in Tirah Valley

According to local media reports, the strikes began in the early hours of September 22, when JF-17 fighter jets dropped Chinese-made LS-6 bombs on Matre Dara, a Pashtun-majority village. These weapons, comparable to America’s JDAM kits but with longer ranges, are designed for precision targeting. Yet, instead of hitting militants, they demolished four houses and killed dozens of civilians.

Disturbing images and videos quickly emerged on social media, showing lifeless bodies scattered across the rubble while families and rescue workers searched desperately for survivors. Local sources confirmed that many more were injured, though the extent of their condition remains uncertain. Hours later, neither the Pakistani military nor the government issued an official statement, further fueling anger and speculation.

A security officer in Peshawar, speaking anonymously to AFP, confirmed the devastating toll. “The jets targeted four houses, which were completely destroyed,” he said, before adding: “Tirah is near the Pakistan-Afghan border and is home to multiple TTP hideouts. In recent months, there have been several attacks on security forces in this area.” Still, he declined to clarify who exactly carried out the bombing.

A Hotbed of Militancy

The Pakistani Air Force claims the strikes were aimed at Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts in the Tirah Valley. The region has long been a staging ground for militant groups, particularly the TTP, also known as the Pakistani Taliban. Recent months have seen a surge in militant activity, forcing authorities to intensify operations.

Just a day before the airstrikes, Pakistan’s military reported killing seven TTP fighters in Dera Ismail Khan during an intelligence-based operation. Yet despite such operations, violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continues to escalate.

According to a provincial police report, the region witnessed 605 terror-related incidents between January and August of this year alone. These attacks killed 138 civilians and injured 352 more. Police forces also paid a heavy price: 79 officers were killed, while 130 were injured. Alarmingly, August alone saw 129 terror attacks, leaving 17 civilians and 13 police officers dead.

One of the most devastating recent incidents occurred in June when a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a military convoy, killing 13 soldiers and wounding dozens more. The TTP claimed responsibility for this attack, underscoring its continued strength in the region. The group’s bloodiest assault, however, remains the 2014 massacre at Peshawar’s Army Public School, where over 130 children were slaughtered.

🇵🇰 Pakistan Army is killing its own people.

At 2 AM on September 22 (Pakistan Time), fighter jets dropped 8 LS-6 bombs on Matre Dara village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing at least 30 civilians, mostly women and children. Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission confirms civilian… pic.twitter.com/T2cxuOd2HQ— Allen Hampton (@Hamp_Allen) September 23, 2025

A Region Shaped by Decades of Conflict

The roots of militancy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa trace back to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. At the time, the region became a launchpad for Islamic fighters backed by the United States, Arab nations, and Pakistan. When Soviet forces withdrew in 1989, the area descended into lawlessness, becoming a safe haven for fugitives, smugglers, and armed networks.

The situation worsened after the 9/11 attacks, when U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan pushed Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters into Pakistan’s tribal areas. By the late 2000s, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan had formally organized in these rugged, mountainous territories, creating a near-impenetrable stronghold.

Sectarian Violence Adds to the Chaos

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not just plagued by militant insurgency but also by persistent sectarian violence. In November last year, more than 100 people were killed in the Kurram district within just 10 days amid clashes between Shia and Sunni communities. Unlike most of Pakistan, where Sunnis form the overwhelming majority, Kurram is home to a Shia-majority population, making it a flashpoint for sectarian conflict.

Such tensions have fueled cycles of violence and deepened instability, complicating security challenges in the province.

Political Marginalisation and Authoritarian Rule

Experts argue that the volatile political landscape of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has exacerbated the crisis. The federal government and Pakistan’s powerful military establishment have long undermined democratic processes in the region, favoring authoritarian governance.

Amnesty International criticized Pakistan in June, accusing authorities of failing to safeguard civilians. “Pakistani authorities have failed to take action to protect the lives and property of civilians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who continue to pay the price of an escalating number of drone strikes in the province,” said Isabelle Lassee, Deputy Regional Director for South Asia at Amnesty International.

Syed Irfan Ashraf, a lecturer from Peshawar, echoed this sentiment. Speaking to RFERL, he remarked, “Pakistan’s military has tried to enforce an authoritarian governance model in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This governance model is taking a huge toll now.”

Why Is Khyber Pakhtunkhwa So Difficult to Control?

The geography of the region itself makes it difficult to police or control. Its mountainous terrain, proximity to the Afghan border, and history of armed militancy have made it an enduring stronghold for insurgent groups.

After the Soviet withdrawal in 1988, many militant factions, heavily armed and battle-hardened, remained entrenched in the area. When the U.S. invaded Afghanistan in 2001, even more militants crossed into Pakistan, further strengthening extremist networks. Over time, the TTP consolidated its presence in these inaccessible areas, becoming one of Islamabad’s toughest security challenges.

Civilian Voices of Anger

Unsurprisingly, the recent airstrike has provoked outrage from local leaders and communities. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) politician Iqbal Afridi directly accused the military of deliberately attacking civilians. “It was the security force's aircraft that carried out the shelling. It's their shelling that killed 23 people,” Afridi said. He went on to denounce the operation as “nothing less than an attack on unarmed civilians.”

The Bigger Picture

The Tirah Valley bombing is not an isolated incident but rather a symptom of deeper structural problems in Pakistan’s northwestern frontier. Decades of foreign intervention, militant insurgencies, sectarian clashes, and authoritarian policies have left Khyber Pakhtunkhwa scarred and volatile. With the TTP resurgent, sectarian tensions flaring, and civilians bearing the brunt of violence, the region remains a powder keg.

For now, the unanswered question remains: was this tragic airstrike a calculated move to cripple militancy, or a reckless operation that sacrificed innocent lives in the name of security? What is clear is that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continue to pay the heaviest price in Pakistan’s long and bloody battle with extremism.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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