Amnesty International raised serious concerns on Tuesday about ongoing drone attacks by the Pakistan military in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which have reportedly resulted in the deaths of 17 civilians this year alone. The human rights organization is urging Pakistani officials to conduct thorough investigations into these incidents and hold those accountable for the unlawful civilian casualties.

Isabelle Lassée, Deputy Regional Director for South Asia at Amnesty, highlighted the distressing impact on local communities, with drones striking residential areas and even social gatherings. "The frequency and recklessness of these strikes are alarming and constitute a clear violation of international law," Lassée stated. She stressed the importance of initiating independent and effective inquiries to bring justice to the affected families and prevent further loss.

Moreover, if the investigations reveal direct involvement or negligence on the part of Pakistani authorities in conducting these deadly strikes, Amnesty insists that the government must offer effective remedies and compensation to the victims and their families.

The recent series of drone strikes have intensified concerns as they continue to claim civilian lives, including children. While Pakistani authorities have acknowledged these casualties, they have attributed the operations to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group known for its opposition to the Pakistani military and connections with Al-Qaeda.

Since its formation in 2007, the TTP has been actively involved in an armed insurgency against the state, targeting military and civilian entities alike. The resurgence of the TTP has been notably marked by an increase in attacks following the Taliban's takeover in Kabul in 2021.

Despite significant military offensives by Pakistan against the TTP in 2014, the group has managed to regain strength, exploiting the volatile situation in the region. The ongoing conflict and military operations have led to the displacement of over 400,000 individuals within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, seeking refuge from the violence.

As the situation develops, international and local scrutiny over Pakistan's use of drone strikes and their devastating impact on civilian populations continues to grow, with calls for transparency and accountability becoming louder.