The recent narrative surrounding Tirah Valley, particularly claims that the state is forcibly “depopulating” the area, reflects a troubling trend of oversimplification and political framing. In volatile security environments, informing local communities about potential risks and facilitating temporary movement is a standard protective practice intended to minimize civilian harm. Importantly, the temporary relocation from certain localities of Tirah did not result from a unilateral military decision. To portray counterterrorism operations as an anti-Pashtun campaign not only distorts reality but also unfairly implicates Pashtuns who serve within the state’s security framework. Opportunistic elements that deliberately frame security operations as ethnic oppression undermine legitimate discourse and risk deepening social divisions.