Pakistan’s militarised counterinsurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa displaces communities, kills civilians amid systemic failure to address root causes of militancy

Pashtun tribal codes (Pashtunwali) emphasise justice, protection of the vulnerable, and collective responsibility, yet military operations systematically violate these principles by displacing communities and killing civilians, deepening cycles of violence. The erasure of indigenous governance structures in favour of military rule has dismantled traditional conflict resolution mechanisms, leaving communities without recourse. Indigenous leaders and elders, who historically mediated disputes, have been sidelined in favour of state security narratives.

The current conflict traces its roots to the 1980s Soviet-Afghan War, when the US and Pakistan-backed mujahideen groups, including those later designated as militants, were armed to fight Soviet forces. The post-9/11 US-led invasion of Afghanistan and subsequent drone strikes in Pakistan’s tribal areas exacerbated local grievances, driving recruitment into militant groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Military operations since 2001 have displaced over 5 million people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, yet few have returned due to ongoing insecurity and lack of reconstruction.

The militarised approach to militancy in Pakistan’s northwest mirrors colonial-era strategies used by the British in the 19th century, where punitive expeditions and collective punishment were employed to suppress Pashtun resistance. In contrast, indigenous Pashtun communities have historically resolved conflicts through jirgas (tribal councils) and mediation, but these systems have been systematically undermined by state interventions. The framing of militancy as a purely security issue ignores the cultural and historical context of Pashtun identity and resistance to centralised authority.

Studies show that military-led counterinsurgency operations often escalate violence in the short term by radicalising local populations and increasing civilian casualties, as seen in Iraq and Afghanistan. Research on conflict drivers in Pakistan’s tribal areas highlights economic marginalisation, lack of access to education, and political exclusion as key factors in militant recruitment. The use of heavy artillery and airstrikes in populated areas disproportionately affects women and children, contradicting claims of precision targeting.

Pashtun poetry and music have long articulated resistance to oppression and the pain of displacement, yet these voices are absent from mainstream narratives that frame the conflict as a security issue. Sufi traditions in the region emphasise spiritual resilience and communal harmony, but militarisation has eroded these values, replacing them with a culture of fear and retaliation. Artistic expressions of grief and protest, such as the poetry of Rahman Baba, are often censored or ignored in state-controlled media.

If current trends continue, the cycle of violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will persist, with ongoing displacement, radicalisation, and state repression fueling further insurgency. Scenario modelling suggests that a shift toward community-led reconciliation, economic development, and political inclusion could reduce militancy by addressing root causes rather than symptoms. The militarised approach risks further destabilising the region, particularly as climate change exacerbates resource scarcity and displacement.

Women and children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bear the brunt of militarisation, facing displacement, sexual violence, and loss of livelihoods, yet their stories are rarely centred in mainstream narratives. Indigenous journalists and activists documenting civilian casualties are often targeted by both state and non-state actors, silencing critical perspectives. The voices of Pashtun women, who have historically played key roles in peacebuilding, are systematically excluded from peace processes and media coverage.