The tragic incident that unfolded in Katlang, a small town in the Mardan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has stirred public outrage and placed the spotlight on political maneuvering that risks undermining Pakistan’s security forces and the national interest. While the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), rushed to offer compensation to the victims’ families, it is crucial to look beyond the surface and understand the deeper implications of this politically charged incident.
On March 29, 2025, the Pakistani security forces conducted an operation in Katlang aimed at neutralizing what was believed to be a terrorist hideout. This operation led to the death of several individuals, a group of shepherds who, according to initial reports, were allegedly caught in the crossfire. However, the narrative promoted by the PTI and its leadership immediately shifted focus towards blaming the security forces and accusing them of recklessness.
The PTI, a party with a vested interest in tarnishing the image of the current administration, quickly seized upon the tragedy as an opportunity to attack the military and law enforcement. Their leaders, including high-ranking officials in the KP provincial government, began amplifying the narrative that the operation was a failure and civilians were wrongly targeted. The accusation was clear: innocent shepherds had been killed, and the military was to blame for a botched operation.
This rhetoric raised several alarms. Firstly, it is essential to recognize that the operation in question was launched based on credible intelligence, with the intention of targeting terrorist elements in a region that has long been plagued by insurgent activity. The Katlang area has served as a stronghold for various militant factions for years, and the operation was a direct response to the ongoing threat posed by these groups. Claiming that the operation was a failure, and that it targeted innocent civilians, not only undermines the military’s efforts but also fuels a narrative that is politically motivated and devoid of solid evidence.
The PTI, in an effort to shift public opinion, quickly promised compensation to the victims’ families, offering Rs. 50 lakh to each of the deceased’s relatives. On the surface, this may appear to be a compassionate gesture, but one must ask: why the rush to compensate the families without a thorough investigation? The answer is simple: political gain. By presenting themselves as the protectors of the common people, PTI seeks to present the federal government’s military operation in a negative light, casting doubt on the effectiveness and accountability of the security forces. The provision of monetary compensation serves as a smokescreen to deflect attention from the underlying political agenda.
Moreover, the PTI’s selective narrative is deeply troubling. The victims, according to the available information, were shepherds. They were not militants, nor were they part of any organized terrorist cell. But the claims that they were civilians killed during an operation against militants do not stand up to scrutiny. If these individuals were truly shepherds, then why did the operation take place in a known militant stronghold, far removed from any areas where one would expect shepherds to be? The terrain, typically barren and harsh, is not a place where herders would typically take their flocks, especially during the time of year when the weather conditions would be less than ideal.
What raises further suspicion is the fact that no evidence of animals was reported to have been harmed during the operation. In a situation where shepherds are killed in an airstrike or ground operation, one would expect to find evidence of at least some livestock casualties. This lack of any reported harm to the animals is significant. It suggests that the shepherds were not caught in the crossfire, but rather were intentionally targeted, an indication that the operation was not as indiscriminate as PTI’s narrative suggests.
While the PTI continues to push this divisive agenda, it is important to remember the larger picture: the sacrifice made by the security forces in their ongoing fight against terrorism. Pakistan’s military has been at the forefront of combating militancy, and despite the challenges and risks involved, they have made immense sacrifices to protect the people of Pakistan. Attacking the military for the sake of political advantage is not only irresponsible but also undermines the very fabric of national unity.
The attempt by PTI to politicize this tragedy is not just an attack on the security forces; it is an attack on Pakistan’s future. The country faces an existential threat from terrorism, and it is imperative that the nation stands united in support of its armed forces. While there must always be accountability and transparency in military operations, the PTI’s actions only serve to sow distrust and division among the people, making it harder for the state to effectively combat the terrorist threat.
The Katlang incident has been cynically used by PTI as a political weapon. While the loss of innocent lives is always tragic, it is essential that we look beyond the headlines and understand the real motivations behind PTI’s rhetoric. The Pakistani security forces, who are tirelessly working to ensure the safety of the nation, deserve our support, not political attacks. Pakistan’s future hinges on our ability to unite as a nation and recognize that the fight against terrorism is not one we can afford to lose.
