Pakistan Air Strikes Kill 23 Near Afghan Border, Sparking Protests
Tirah, Pakistan – Air strikes in a remote region of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan have killed 23 people, including seven women and four children, officials confirmed Monday. The attacks targeted houses near Tirah City, a known stronghold for the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group. The incident has ignited protests and accusations leveled against the Pakistani military.
The strikes come amid escalating tensions and a surge in attacks on security forces in the area. The border region has long served as a haven for militants, and the recent violence raises concerns about regional stability and the potential for further escalation. The Pakistani government has yet to officially comment on who authorized the air strikes, but opposition members are alleging direct military involvement.
Iqbal Afridi, an opposition member of the National Assembly, stated, “It was the security forces that carried out the shooting. The shooting was the one who killed 23 people,” according to AFP. Sohail Khan Afridi, a member of the Khyber Pakhtunkwa Provincial Parliament, echoed these accusations, calling the attack “an attack on unarmed civilians.” both Iqbal and Sohail are affiliated with the political party of former Pakistani Prime minister imran Khan.
A senior police officer in Tirah City reported that four houses were completely destroyed in the strikes, but declined to identify the perpetrators.The officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the casualties included seven women and four children. Another security officer in Peshawar indicated the area harbors “dozens of TTP hiding places” where militants reside with their families, also refraining from attributing obligation for the attack.
Approximately 2,000 people protested the deadly strikes Monday afternoon. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges Pakistan faces in combating militancy along its border with Afghanistan and the potential for civilian casualties in counterterrorism operations.