Collateral Damage in Anti-Terror Operations Unacceptable, Says Former KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur

Peshawar: Former Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa **Ali Amin Gandapur** has strongly criticized the ongoing **anti-terrorism operations**, declaring that any form of **collateral damage involving civilian casualties is unacceptable**.

Speaking to the media, Gandapur said that while terrorists often take refuge within populated areas, the **use of heavy weapons, mortars, and artillery** by security forces results in the loss of innocent civilian lives. He warned that such tactics are proving **counterproductive**, as they are turning the **local population against the state** instead of strengthening their support.

Recalling his tenure as chief minister, Gandapur said he had developed a **“Provincial Action Plan”** under which **CTD and police units** conducted **intelligence-based ground operations (IBOs)**. “That strategy successfully eliminated terrorists **without causing collateral damage**,” he stated.

He urged the **federal government** to involve **local communities and tribal jirgas** in the ongoing operations and to **implement the Provincial Action Plan** he formulated, which was designed specifically to address Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s unique security challenges.

Earlier, Gandapur had also criticized the government for the **erosion of constitutional rule and law**, warning that this growing disconnect between the **public and state institutions** was fueling mistrust — a trend he described as **deeply harmful to national unity and stability**.