CM Gandapur Vows Accountability, Peace, and Local Engagement
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has strongly condemned the death of civilians during recent anti-terror operations in the Tirah region of Khyber district. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur described the civilian casualties as “unacceptable” and extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He announced financial compensation of Rs10 million for each affected family, recognizing the profound loss suffered due to the tragic incident.
The statement from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat came after a high-level meeting attended by CM Gandapur, PTI MNA Iqbal Afridi, senior provincial officials, and security representatives. The session not only reviewed the law and order situation but also focused on formulating a detailed action plan to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
As part of this strategy, it was decided that a jirga — comprising elected representatives, political leaders, and tribal elders — will engage directly with senior military officials. The goal is to devise a community-inclusive peace strategy modeled on the successful approach adopted in Bajaur. CM Gandapur emphasized the need to rebuild trust with the local population and highlighted the importance of transparency and collaboration in maintaining peace in the conflict-hit area.
Rights Groups, Assembly Members Demand Transparent Investigation
The incident, in which jet aircraft allegedly targeted civilian homes, sparked widespread outrage. While no official confirmation has identified the perpetrators of the strike, local police anonymously confirmed that four houses were destroyed in the operation. MNA Iqbal Afridi, in a video message, alleged that elderly women and children were among those killed in the aerial bombardment, calling it another instance in a “series of repeated tragedies.”
Human rights organizations swiftly reacted to the reports. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed deep concern, demanding an immediate, impartial investigation and insisting that those responsible be held accountable. “The state is constitutionally bound to protect civilians’ right to life, which it has repeatedly failed to secure,” the HRCP stated.
Speaker of the KP Assembly, Babar Swati, also urged both federal and provincial governments to conduct a transparent investigation and ensure not just compensation but also the long-term rehabilitation of affected families. Echoing these sentiments, Special Assistant to the CM for Communication and Works, Sohail Afridi, addressed the assembly, alleging that 25 people — including women and children — were killed when mortars and bombs were dropped on the locality at 2 am.
The attack follows similar controversial incidents in Waziristan earlier this year, where children were killed or injured in drone and quadcopter strikes. Although the military later blamed the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for one such event, public skepticism and mistrust continue to grow amid repeated civilian casualties.
