North Waziristan May 2025: Reactions to Suspected Drone Strike

On May 19, 2025, a suspected drone strike in Hurmuz village, Mir Ali tehsil, North Waziristan, reportedly killed four children and injured five others. The incident sparked widespread protests, with residents staging a sit-in at Mir Ali Chowk. Protesters demanded justice, a transparent investigation, compensation for the victims' families, and an end to drone strikes in the region.

The Pakistani military's media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), denied involvement in the strike, attributing the attack to the banned militant group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which they referred to as "Indian-sponsored Fitna Al Khwarij." ISPR labeled allegations against security forces as part of a "coordinated disinformation campaign" aimed at discrediting counterterrorism efforts. After eight days of protests, the sit-in concluded on May 27 following negotiations between protest leaders and government officials.

The new Durand Dispatch infographic (download below) offers a concise overview of key responses from militant groups such as the TTP and Ittehad ul Mujahideen (IUM), as well as socio-political movements like the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC). Furthermore, it outlines high-level strategic implications of the incident, particularly how unaddressed civilian grievances can be being exploited to undermine state legitimacy and fuel targeted militant narratives.