Pakistan’s Double Standards Exposed : Shedding Innocent Blood at Home While Preaching on Jammu Kashmir

Pakistan’s recent airstrikes in the Tirah Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have once again exposed the harsh reality of how little value its rulers place on civilian lives. Over 30 innocent men, women, and children were killed in these strikes when the Pakistani military dropped LS-6 bombs on the small village of Matre Dara. Families were torn apart in seconds, homes turned to rubble, and yet the government in Islamabad showed no real regret. For the people of Pakistan, this is not new. They have long lived under the shadow of military rulers who act as though their own citizens are expendable. This tragic incident is a reminder that Pakistan has become a failed state, ruled by generals who prioritize power and control over the safety of their own people. The contrast with India could not be sharper. In Jammu and Kashmir, where India has been fighting a long battle against cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan, the Indian Armed Forces follows strict rules of engagement. Every operation is carefully planned to protect the lives of civilians, because the people of Jammu Kashmir are not strangers or outsiders they are Indian citizens. Their safety, dignity, and rights matter. For Indian forces, counterterrorism is not simply about eliminating enemies; it is about protecting the innocent while confronting those who spread violence. Pakistan’s approach is the opposite. Instead of precision and restraint, its military relies on indiscriminate airstrikes, artillery fire, and drone attacks. These attacks often take place not only near the borders but also deep inside Pakistan, in regions such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Sindh. Civilians are killed in large numbers, yet accountability is absent. Protests and cries for justice are crushed by force or ignored by those in power. The Pakistani establishment, dominated by generals, has developed a pattern of disregarding human rights. Its strategy exposes a deep hypocrisy: while it claims to fight for Jammu Kashmir with Slogan “Pakistan se Rishta Kya La Illaha illala”, it has no hesitation in killing its own citizens in pursuit of power. India’s restraint comes at a cost. When the Army avoids heavy bombing or indiscriminate shelling, it means some terrorists may escape. It also means that soldiers put themselves in greater danger. Between 1989 and 2025 , scores of l Indian security personnel laid down their lives in operations where the priority was to protect civilians. These soldiers went into close combat, often house-to-house, rather than using tactics that would kill large numbers of innocents. This sacrifice reflects the spirit of India’s democracy where human life is valued above quick victories. What happened in Tirah Valley is not an isolated tragedy. Similar incidents have taken place across Pakistan for years. In Balochistan, entire villages have been bombed under the excuse of fighting rebels. In Sindh, political activists and journalists have been disappeared or killed. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, people live in constant fear of either terrorists or the military itself. Ordinary Pakistanis know very well that their rulers in uniform see them as tools, not as citizens to be protected. This reality has made Pakistan a failed state in the eyes of the world. Its economy is collapsing, its politics are paralyzed, and its generals treat the country like personal property. India’s philosophy is different because its military is not above its people it is part of the democratic system, accountable to the Constitution and the elected government. Indian soldiers are trained not just in combat but also in values of discipline, restraint, and respect. They know that the people they protect are not just “collateral damage”; they are families, communities, and fellow citizens. It takes courage to show restraint, and it takes professionalism to fight terrorism without turning against civilians. That is why India’s conduct across Indian territory especially in Jammu Kashmir stands as an example for the world of how counterterrorism can be carried out without losing sight of humanity. The events in Tirah Valley should serve as a wake-up call for the global community. More than 30 lives were lost in a single strike, and countless others were injured or displaced. Families now live in grief, yet the Pakistani military establishment continues with business as usual. The generals who control Pakistan have never shown respect for civilian life, whether in their own provinces or across the border. Their record is filled with war crimes from the genocide in East Pakistan in 1971 to today’s killings in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For common masses of Jammu Kashmir watching these events unfold, the difference is stark. On one side, there is India, which despite facing relentless terror attacks sponsored from across the border, chooses the difficult path of protecting civilians. On the other side, there is Pakistan, which does not hesitate to bomb its own people and then falsely claim to be the guardian of Jammu Kashmir. The choice for the people of Jammu Kashmir is clear, a state that values their lives and dignity, or a failed state that sacrifices its own citizens without remorse. This ethical divide is not just about military tactics. It is about the future of South Asia. India’s approach is rooted in democracy, human rights, and accountability. Pakistan’s is rooted in authoritarianism, militarism, and disregard for life. One shows that true strength lies in protecting the vulnerable, the other shows that weakness hides behind bombs and lies. The people of Tirah Valley, like those in Balochistan and Sindh, are paying the price for Pakistan’s failed statehood. Their suffering is proof of what happens when a nation is ruled by generals instead of by its people. In contrast, India continues to show that even in conflict, humanity must remain at the center. The lesson is clear, restraint is not weakness, it is strength, respect for civilians is not optional, it is the foundation of justice. As long as Pakistan remains under the grip of its military, tragedies like the one in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will continue. The international community must see Pakistan’s hypocrisy for what it is. While it tries to project itself as a champion of Jammu Kashmir, it kills its own citizens without hesitation. Meanwhile, India continues to uphold the principle that every civilian life matters. That is the true difference between a failed state and a democracy