In a recent escalation of violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, an unofficial TTP channel has claimed responsibility for a new attack on Pakistan Army forces in the Kulachi sub-district of Dera Ismail Khan district. The attack resulted in the deaths of five soldiers and injuries to five others. The assailants reportedly seized two Kalashnikov assault rifles, seven magazines, a walkie-talkie, a hand grenade, and other equipment from the targeted soldiers.
In contrast, Pak sources have confirmed the deaths of two soldiers and injuries to three others in the same attack. Additionally, pro-TTP sources reported thwarting a raid by Pakistan security forces in Bajaur district of Malakand division, which purportedly left at least six soldiers dead. Pak security officials have confirmed the deaths of three soldiers—Naik Inayat, Lance Naik Umar Hayat, and Sipahi Waqar—in an attack on a security post in the same area, but have not corroborated details of the raid.
The ongoing conflict has intensified scrutiny on the treatment of Pashtun communities, who have faced systematic targeting and aggression from the predominantly Punjabi Pak military and authorities. The Pashtun community has been disproportionately affected by extrajudicial killings and ongoing human rights abuses perpetrated by the Paki establishment.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the Pakistan Army, which had previously supported and created the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), now finds itself under attack by this very group. Amidst this turmoil, innocent Pashtuns are increasingly caught in the crossfire, suffering from violence inflicted by both the Army and the TTP.