THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Bal Ram Sampla
Geopolitics
Latest news filtering through social media claims that Pakistani fighter jets dropped bombs on a small village called Matre Dara in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The attack killed 30 innocent people, including women and children. The jets used were Chinese-made JF-17 planes that dropped eight powerful bombs called LS-6 bombs.
Why Would Pakistan Bomb Its Own People?
The most likely reason is that the military was trying to attack terrorists or militants hiding in the area. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially the border areas with Afghanistan, has been a place where different armed groups operate. The Pakistani military often conducts operations there to fight terrorism.
However, something went terribly wrong. Instead of hitting only the bad guys, the bombs killed ordinary families living in the village.
Why So Many Civilian Deaths?
Several things could explain why so many innocent people died:
(1) Wrong Information
The military may have received bad intelligence about where the terrorists were hiding. Someone might have given them the wrong location.
(2) Targeting Mistakes
Even though they used precision-guided bombs, the military might have aimed at the wrong buildings or areas.
(3) Terrorists Among Civilians
The terrorists might have been hiding in or near homes where families lived, making it hard to attack them without hurting innocent people.
(4) Poor Planning
The military might not have done enough homework to make sure civilians would be safe before attacking.
Why Is the Government Silent?
The Pakistani government has not explained why this attack happened or apologized for the deaths. This silence is puzzling and concerning for several reasons:
-(1)They might be embarrassed that their own military killed their own citizens
(2)They could be investigating what went wrong before making any statements
(3)They might be worried about admitting mistakes that could get them in legal trouble
(4)They may not want to reveal military secrets about their operations
When a country’s military kills its own innocent citizens and the government stays quiet about it, it creates serious problems.
This incident shows the difficult challenge Pakistan faces in fighting terrorism. When terrorists hide among regular people, military operations become very risky. But using powerful bombs in villages where families live is extremely dangerous.
The government’s silence makes everything worse. When 30 innocent people die, including children, their families and the whole nation deserve an explanation. They need to know what went wrong.
Why Is the International Community Silent?
The silence from Western countries, the UN, and international organizations about these civilian deaths is puzzling and troubling. Is this case of double standards?
Some countries avoid criticizing what they see as Pakistan’s “internal security matters,” even when civilians die.
Conclusion
The bombing of Matre Dara village represents a tragic failure in Pakistan’s fight against terrorism. While the military may have had legitimate reasons to target militants in the area, the death of 30 civilians – especially women and children – is unacceptable.
The government’s continued silence only makes things worse. In a democratic country, the military must be answerable to the people. When operations go wrong and innocent lives are lost, explanations and accountability are not just expected – they are required.
The international community’s silence is equally troubling. When the US, EU, and UN fail to condemn the killing of innocent civilians – including children – they become complicit in normalizing such violence. Human rights and the protection of civilians should not depend on which country commits the act or what they call it.
Until both Pakistan’s government and the international community break their silence and demand accountability, incidents like this will continue. The families who lost their loved ones deserve justice, answers, and assurance that their deaths will not be in vain.
References
1. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insurgency_in_Khyber_Pakhtunkhwa
2.https://youtu.be/A54ffUg0dtg?si=sjbUkjqwBE8k7gjz
3.https://youtu.be/9zYiZmL1hQU?si=5qao7inyjNdRRugK
