Pashtun Activist Condemns Pakistan Army Over Drone Strike in North Waziristan

Pashtun Activist Condemns Pakistan Army
A deadly drone strike in North Waziristan has once again put Pakistan’s military under scrutiny, drawing widespread condemnation. The focus of the backlash comes from Pashtun communities and activists who accuse the army of routinely targeting civilians under the guise of counterterrorism operations.

1. The Drone Strike in North Waziristan

The recent strike occurred in Hurmuz village, Mir Ali tehsil. The drone targeted a residential area, leading to civilian casualties instead of the intended militant targets. This marks another instance of military operations in the region resulting in unintended deaths and injuries.

2. Children Among the Victims

Tragically, four young children lost their lives in the attack. They were reportedly playing outside their home when the missile struck. Additionally, five others, including a woman, sustained serious injuries. The children belonged to a single family, amplifying the grief and devastation within the community.

3. Pashtun Activist Condemns Pakistan Army

Prominent Pashtun activist Fazal ur Rehman Afridi strongly condemned the drone strike. Speaking on behalf of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), he accused the Pakistan Army of using Pashtun regions as testing grounds for drone warfare. Afridi stated that over 30 drone strikes have been carried out in recent years, primarily in Pashtun-dominated districts.

Afridi declared, “This isn’t just an accident; it’s part of a systematic policy of targeting and silencing the Pashtun population. These children were not collateral damage; they were victims of an unjust war.”

4. Local Protests and Public Outrage

Following the strike, thousands of residents staged protests by placing the children’s bodies on a major road. Protesters refused to bury the victims until authorities took responsibility and provided answers. The demonstration reflected deep-rooted anger and frustration against continued military actions in civilian areas.

Tribal elder Mufti Baitullah demanded transparency, warning that larger protests would erupt if the government failed to disclose who authorized the drone attack. Pashtun Activist Condemns Pakistan Army.

5. PTM’s Response and Broader Accusations

The PTM has long criticized the military’s operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and adjoining tribal areas. According to Afridi, the army has actively relocated Taliban families into the region and then uses their presence as a pretext for airstrikes.

Afridi further alleged, “This isn’t about national security. This is about dispossessing the Pashtun people of their land and rights under the cloak of anti-terror operations.”

6. Historical Context and Continued Tensions

The drone strike is not an isolated incident. Previous operations in the region, including a March 2024 strike in Mardan that killed multiple civilians, have stirred similar outrage. Activists argue that the Pakistan Army’s actions are part of a broader campaign of repression against the Pashtun community.

Human rights groups have echoed these concerns, highlighting patterns of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in tribal areas.

7. Calls for Accountability

Provincial officials, including Minister Nayak Muhammad Dawar, condemned the strike and announced an investigation. However, such promises have historically yielded few results, further eroding public trust.

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) also issued a statement, calling the incident part of a “systematic genocide” and urging a unified stand against state violence.

8. Conclusion

As tensions rise in North Waziristan, the focus keyword “Pashtun activist condemns Pakistan Army” encapsulates a growing movement demanding justice and accountability. With civilian lives repeatedly caught in the crossfire, calls for reform and transparent governance grow louder. Whether the state responds remains to be seen, but the voices of protest are unlikely to be silenced.