Pakistan News / Pakistani Air Force drops bombs inside Pakistan, killing 30 people and injuring many others.

Pakistan News: A devastating explosion in the Tirah Valley of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday killed at least 24 people, including civilians and militants. The blast has raised numerous questions, as preliminary investigations link it to explosive material stored by the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) for bomb-making. Local leaders have blamed airstrikes by the Pakistani Air Force for the incident. The incident highlights tensions between rising terrorism and military operations in the region.

Blast Details

The explosion occurred in the restive northwestern region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a long-standing hotbed of terrorist activities. According to local police, the incident occurred at a compound where TTP members were storing explosive material for making roadside bombs. At least 10 civilians, including women and children, and 14 militants were killed in the blast. The explosion was so powerful that it destroyed several nearby houses, leaving a trail of devastation in the area.

TTP Hideout and Security Forces' Operation

Police officer Zafar Khan stated that the compound was operated by two TTP commanders, Aman Gul and Masood Khan. The site was being used as a bomb-making factory. Khan alleged that the TTP was using civilians as human shields and hiding weapons in mosques in other districts, complicating the anti-terrorism campaign. The TTP, affiliated with the Afghan Taliban, has claimed responsibility for attacks across Pakistan. Many of its fighters are believed to be sheltering in Afghanistan.

Pakistani security forces are conducting a sustained operation against the TTP in Khyber, Bajaur, and other northwestern regions. However, this explosion and alleged airstrikes have sparked anger and distrust among the local community.

Reaction from Local Leaders

Abdul Ghani Afridi, a member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial assembly, strongly condemned the incident, calling it a "crime against humanity." He accused the Pakistani government of targeting its own citizens. Afridi said, "If our defenders martyred innocent children, youth, and women in Tirah Akakhel, then this is barbarism." He appealed to the international community and human rights organizations to speak out for the victims.

Afridi described the airstrikes as "state oppression," saying, "The valley where children once laughed and giggled is now filled with their corpses." He demanded accountability and justice for the families of the victims, and stressed the need for a transparent investigation into the incident.

Rising Tensions in the Region

This blast and the subsequent controversy reflect the complex situation in which Pakistan is struggling to combat terrorism. On one hand, security forces are conducting operations against groups like the TTP, while on the other hand, the increasing number of civilian casualties is fueling discontent among local communities. This incident in Tirah Valley not only raises questions about the security forces' tactics but also impacts the prospects for peace and stability in the region.