For the seventh consecutive day, residents of Mir Ali, North Waziristan, continued their sit-in on May 25, 2025, protesting a suspected drone strike on May 19 that killed four children and injured five others, including a woman, in Hurmuz village. The protesters, encamped near the Mir Ali cantonment, vowed to launch a long march to Islamabad on May 26 if their demands for justice remain unmet.
The strike, which locals attribute to a drone attack, devastated a family, prompting outrage. Tribal elders report that authorities have disrupted the district’s mobile networks and internet access, escalating tensions.
Dawn News reported that the sit-in committee threatened to cut internet cables to the cantonment if connectivity isn’t restored by Sunday evening. Their demands include a judicial inquiry, punishment for those responsible, state support for victims’ families, and an end to drone strikes.
Protests continue across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against the Pakistani drone strike that killed four children in Hurmaz, Mir Ali, North Waziristan.
Mainstream media has maintained radio silence on the attack, as if Pashtun lives don’t matter at all.
#PashtunsRejectDroneTerror pic.twitter.com/mlZ8IyDnDU
— Sonam Mahajan (@AsYouNotWish) May 24, 2025The committee outlined a planned long march, starting from Mir Ali, passing through Bannu, Karak, and Kohat, and reaching Peshawar by May 26 night. Protesters from other districts will join before the group proceeds to Islamabad for a peaceful demonstration outside government offices. “This march will awaken the nation’s conscience against oppression,” the committee stated.
Conflicting Narratives
The military’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) denied security forces’ involvement, calling allegations “baseless” and attributing the attack to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which they term “Indian-sponsored Fitnah Al Khwarij.” The ISPR claimed the TTP used civilian areas as shields and announced a comprehensive investigation to bring perpetrators to justice. Local police have held inconclusive talks with elders, leaving the motive and responsibility unclear.
Dr. Amina Khan, a conflict studies expert at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, explains, “Conflicting claims in North Waziristan highlight the complexity of attributing drone strikes. Transparent investigations are crucial to address community distrust.” She emphasises the need for accountability to prevent further unrest.
The protest underscores ongoing tensions in North Waziristan, where drone strikes have long stirred controversy. The sit-in reflects a demand for justice amid claims of state neglect.
