As cross-border tensions escalate, tribal communities from across Pakistan have declared unwavering support for the Pakistan Army, vowing to defend the homeland against militant incursions from Afghanistan.
In a powerful display of unity, tribal elders from Kurram, Khyber, Lower Dir, and Bajaur districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, along with the Brambacha and Dalbandin tribes of Balochistan, have announced their readiness to stand shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces.
Leaders from the Turi-Bangash tribe in Kurram while speaking to Khabarkada, said, that “the people are fully united behind Pakistan’s defence forces, praising recent military actions and destroyed multiple Afghan posts used for cross-border attacks. We have seen our army strike back decisively,” one tribal representative said. “If aggression continues, we will stand beside our forces at the frontlines.”
Former member of the peace committee and a local leader from Mohmand, Malik Sultan, while speaking to Khabarkada, said that they have always opposed the TTP and supported Pakistan’s security forces in every way during attacks on the borders. He stated that if the people of the tribal districts have any grievances with the government, those are internal matters, but whenever someone raises arms against the country or attacks the border, they stand shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan Army.
“This is our land, and its protection is our foremost duty. We have protected Pakistan’s borders in the past and are doing so now. Alongside this, we have made sacrifices in our areas against terrorists; our family members and relatives have been martyred in battles against terrorists, and yet we are ready to make such sacrifices for the country.”
In Balochistan, the Brambacha and Dalbandin tribes issued a joint statement condemning what they called unprovoked Taliban aggression. “If Afghanistan attacks again, it won’t just be the Pakistan Army defending the border, the proud Baloch people will become an iron wall,” tribal elders declared.
Across social media, locals from Kurram and Bajaur hailed the army’s counteroffensive, describing scenes of celebration as Afghan posts were obliterated by Pakistani artillery. Commentators compared it to moments of patriotic unity seen in past wars, saying it reflects a nationwide resolve to safeguard sovereignty.
Malik Nizam, from North Waziristan, told Khabarkada, “The people of the tribal areas have used their weapons in the Kashmir war as well, and whenever there is a need to protect our homeland, they have taken up arms in the past and will do so again in the future.”
Analyst and journalist Gul Muhammad said that the tribes living along the border from Chitral to Balochistan have stood firmly with Pakistani forces in this war. He noted that in many areas along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, people from the same tribe live on both sides, and in the past, there was some sympathy in such incidents. However, this time, they observed that after the Afghan Taliban’s visit to India, this sympathy has ended.
“The tribes are very upset that, on one hand, the Afghan Taliban are aligning with Pakistan’s enemy, India, and on the other hand, there are armed groups on Afghan soil that are against Pakistan. This is why there was a lot of anger and frustration among the people, and they stood firmly with their security forces.”
Officials say such expressions of solidarity from Pakistan’s tribal belt and Balochistan reaffirm the deep bond between the people and the armed forces in defending national security and regional peace.
