Peshawar – In the merged tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, buried landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXOs) remain a constant threat to the lives of civilians.The most vulnerable are children and women who venture into fields and grazing areas, as well as herders who depend on livestock for their livelihood.For many, these hidden explosives are not just a danger beneath their feet but a risk to their very survival and means of income.
This issue is far from new.Its roots go back decades, to the wars and militancy that have shaped the region’s turbulent past.During the Soviet Afghan war from 1979 to 1989, thousands of landmines were planted along Pakistan’s border areas.In the years that followed, militant groups operating in the tribal belt used landmines and booby traps to slow down military movements during the height of insurgency and terrorism.Later, as military operations were launched to reclaim these areas, remnants of unexploded ordnance were left behind, posing a lingering danger that continues to claim innocent lives today.
Experts say dozens of civilians have lost their lives due to landmine explosions, while many others have been permanently disabled.The tragedy is particularly severe among children and herders, who unknowingly step into contaminated zones while playing or tending to animals.
Adding to the complexity of this crisis is the misuse of the issue by certain groups for political purposes.On social media, false narratives and disinformation are spread, alleging that Pakistan’s security forces are responsible for planting these mines.However, on ground realities contradict such claims, most of the landmines and UXOs are remnants of past wars and militant activities, not the actions of state institutions.Such propaganda undermines public trust and distracts attention from the real perpetrators, the militant groups responsible for sowing these deadly devices in the first place.
Addressing this challenge requires more than just government or military efforts.Local communities, the media, and civil society must also play their part.Citizens are urged not to touch any suspicious objects, to immediately inform relevant authorities, and to avoid spreading unverified information on social media.
Landmines and UXOs are not merely explosives buried beneath the soil, they represent a profound threat to human life, local economies, and community trust.The solution lies in collective action, public awareness, and countering misinformation.Only through cooperation between the state, citizens, and institutions can the children, women, and villagers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa hope for a safer and more secure future.