Islamabad –  Former prime minister Imran Khan, in a post from Adiala Jail on social media platform X, expressed sorrow over civilian casualties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Tirah Valley and urged the government to open dialogue with Afghanistan. He alleged that military operations against militant hideouts are aimed at making the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in KP “unpopular” and described the provincial leadership as having “fallen into the establishment’s trap.” Khan further argued that Army Chief General Asim Munir should engage Kabul directly. – really? This is being misrepresented here.

Analysts argue that Khan’s suggestion overlooks the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) consistent record of violating agreements. Negotiations in 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2021–22 collapsed after the group used ceasefires to regroup and expand operations. Independent security assessments highlight that the TTP deliberately embeds within civilian areas and exploits women and children as human shields.

Ground reports from Tirah confirm that the recent explosion occurred inside an Improvised Explosive Device (IED)-manufacturing facility operated by militants of the banned Tehreek-e-Lashkar-e-Islam Pakistan (TLIP), an umbrella of the TTP led by Amaan Gul and Masood Tashkeel. The blast destroyed several nearby houses. A similar incident occurred earlier in Baka Khel, Bannu, where a jirga hall of a leader from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was turned into a militant hub before an accidental blast caused extensive damage.

Also see: Tirah Valley Blast Kills 25 at Militant Bomb-Making Site

Surge in Attacks (2023–2025)

According to official data, the TTP carried out over 700 cross-border and domestic attacks between 2023 and 2025, killing more than 1,200 security personnel and civilians. These include ambushes on army convoys, police stations, and targeted bombings of schools and markets across KP and Balochistan.

Both Pakistan’s intelligence agencies and United Nations monitoring reports confirm that the TTP operates from sanctuaries inside Afghanistan. Kabul’s lack of action, analysts warn, continues to fuel regional instability, contrary to Khan’s portrayal of Afghanistan as a peace guarantor.

Also see: UNGA 2025: Pakistan’s Diplomatic Push Against Cross-Border Terrorism

Authorities have also dismissed Khan’s criticism of the repatriation of undocumented Afghan nationals. Officials cite multiple instances of refugee flows being exploited for TTP and BLA logistics, including the movement of fighters and explosives. Pakistan argues that its counterterrorism operations comply with UN Security Council resolutions, which obligate states to act against listed terrorist organizations.

Also see: A Dangerous Narrative: How Political Rhetoric Undermines Pakistan’s Fight Against Terrorism

KP Public Opinion Counters Khan’s Claim

Khan’s assertion that “90% join Taliban out of grief” has been contradicted by fresh polling. A Gallup Pakistan survey (Feb–Mar 2025) of 3,000 respondents in KP showed that 85% support collaboration with the federal government for development and peace, while nearly two-thirds consider protests only as a secondary political tool.

Local communities in tribal districts continue to reject TTP influence. In Tirah, the Bar Qambarkhel tribe announced they would neither shelter militants nor pay ushr (tax), after TTP gunmen attacked two disabled brothers whose father could not pay. Despite this, a so-called peace accord signed between the tribe and the TTP on August 5, 2025, was widely criticized as a “farce.” Observers noted that militants refused to vacate the area and instead pledged to continue their armed struggle.

Also see: A Dangerous Chorus for “Dialogue”

Experts caution that ignoring the TTP’s long record of broken commitments risks emboldening the group. They emphasize that civilians demand protection from extortion, targeted assassinations, and school bombings, not appeasement through failed talks.