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massive explosion ripped through a residential compound in Tirah valley of Khyber district, killing at least 24 people, including women and children. Initial social media posts claimed that the explosion was the result of an airstrike. Subsequent investigations by local police revealed the bitter truth — the blast had been caused by explosives stored in the house by militants linked to the Tehreek-i- Taliban Pakistan.
According to Major Muhammad Irfan (retired) “The militants store their explosives in residential quarters; when there is a disaster, they blame the authorities.”
This practice has become alarmingly common in the tribal districts. A 2023 report by the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies found that nearly 34 percent of militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa involved the use of civilian structures — homes, mosques and madrassas — as storage, logistics or operational bases. By embedding themselves within villages, the militants not only endanger their neighbours but also seek to manipulate narratives to deflect blame.
The Tirah valley explosion was one of several incidents of the kind in recent years. Earlier this year, in Tank district, seven people — including three children — were killed when a car bomb exploded outside a militant safe house. Security forces later discovered caches of explosives and detonators stored near more residential blocks. Similar blasts have occurred in North Waziristan, Bajaur and South Khyber. The militants have turned civilian life into their camouflage.
For people living in Khyber, the very concept of “home” has changed. Traditionally, the mud-walled compounds have been symbols of kinship and security, shared by extended families and neighbours. Now, fear shadows every household. “We no longer know which house is safe,” said a villager from Tirah whose cousin was killed in a recent blast. “Had the bombs not been in our homes, our families would still be alive.”
The psychological toll is immense. Communities are torn apart by suspicion. A neighbour’s guesthouse could harbour militants or fugitives. For many silence is the only option; objecting to militant activity can invite premature trouble.
Security officials say that such tactics deliberately blur the line between civilians and combatants. Col Farrukh (retired) tells The News on Sunday, “The militants know the army will seek to avoid civilian harm. They exploit that restraint by hiding in people’s homes and mosques. Every time the explosive so stored detonates, they blame the state. It’s psychological warfare.”
The propaganda has found fertile ground on social media. Immediately after the Tirah tragedy, hashtags accusing the authorities of bombing civilians trended online. Within hours, videos were circulated with captions alleging “state brutality.” But investigators and rescue teams found evidence of an improvised explosive device factory in the home. Local police have since identified two TTP commanders — Aman Gul and Masood Khan — as responsible for establishing the hideout.
Analysts warn that such disinformation campaigns amplify militants’ reach. By pretending to be victims, they attempt to gain sympathy both at home and internationally. Meanwhile, the actual victims — innocent families — are erased from the story.
This tactic has become alarmingly common in Pakistan’s tribal belt. A 2023 report by the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies found that nearly 34 percent of militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa involved the use of civilian structures — homes, mosques and madrassas — as storage, logistics or operational bases.
The Guardian recently reported a surge in militant violence across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing an “environment of terror” created by the Taliban’s resurgence. Since 2021, when the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Kabul, Pakistan’s tribal districts have witnessed a steady increase in cross-border infiltration and militant regrouping. These groups have rebuilt networks across Khyber, North Waziristan, Bajaur and Tank.
Security forces, constrained by the need to protect civilians, face immense operational challenges. “We can’t bomb a house without confirmation,” said a senior security official. “But when militants store explosives in people’s homes the delay can be deadly.” Counterterrorism operations are now as much about managing narratives as they are about neutralising threats.
The Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies report stresses that dismantling the ideological and propaganda infrastructure of terrorism is as important as eliminating physical hideouts. The recurring pattern — hidden explosives, civilian deaths and militant denial — shows how extremists weaponise both the community and the conversation.
For residents, the devastation is twofold. Entire families are wiped out, homes are flattened and survivors are left to rebuild amid confusion and fear. “Each blast destroys not just houses but also trust,” says Major Irfan. “When people stop believing in truth, the militants win twice — once with their bomb, and again with their lies.”
The military has repeatedly stated that its operations are aimed at terrorists, not civilians. Officials emphasise that the operations are often delayed or curtailed to avoid collateral damage. However, when militants hide bombs in homes, there is no defence against it.
Observers point to the Tirah blast as a stark reminder of this dilemma. The explosion flattened several houses and killed several families who had no connection to militancy. “We lost everything,” said a survivor. “It wasn’t an airstrike — it was our neighbor letting them store weapons.”
The Associated Press noted that such incidents reflect how deeply embedded militancy remains in parts of KP, even after years of counterterrorism operations. While the government has rebuilt infrastructure and repatriated displaced families, the underlying threat — militants using civilians as shields — continues to jeopardise fragile peace.
Col Farrukh concludes: “Militants may no longer hold territory, but their presence in communities makes every civilian a potential victim. Every hidden bomb endangers innocents.”
Responsibility now extends beyond the battlefield. Media outlets, local leaders and social media users must resist sensationalism and verify facts before spreading claims. Major Irfan emphasises, “The people of Khyber deserve the truth — not propaganda dressed as sympathy.”
Dismantling terrorist safe havens must go hand in hand with dismantling the disinformation networks that sustain them. Every explosion in Khyber is not just a security incident — it is a tragedy of trust betrayed. deserve homes that protect life, not conceal impending death. They deserve peace built on facts, not fear.
The author works for The News. He can becontacted atsherali9984gmail.com