A disturbing clash between fighters of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Lashkar-e-Islam in Khyber has exposed the dark underbelly of Khwarij that claim to wage jihad. According to credible local sources, the confrontation was triggered by a dispute over the sexual exploitation of a young boy commonly referred to as a “lad” used by terrorists for gratification.
Far from any ideological or strategic difference, this violent skirmish reveals the moral depravity and deep hypocrisy that underlies the operations of such groups. These so-called “mujahideen” have long claimed religious legitimacy, yet their actions—particularly involving abuse of minors stand in stark contradiction to the values of Islam they profess to defend.
Witnesses reported that both sides drew weapons and engaged in a fierce firefight over control and access to the boy, shedding light on an alarming culture of abuse within extremist factions. This is not the first time such groups have been linked to systematic sexual misconduct, but the brazenness of this incident has shocked even local communities accustomed to militant violence.
Religious scholars and civil society activists have strongly condemned the incident, urging people to reject these groups and their false claims of religious purpose. “This is not jihad. This is filth disguised in the language of faith,” said one scholar. “Those who exploit children while chanting religious slogans are enemies of Islam and humanity.”
This is not the first incident of its kind. Just a few days ago, in Afghanistan, a young boy stood up and killed a Taliban commander.
In another case, a female tourist revealed she had engaged in sexual relations with an Afghan Talib, while it was recently disclosed that the Biden administration allocated $15 million for condoms and contraceptives to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
The incident underscores the urgent need to expose and dismantle these militant networks not only for their violence, but for the horrific abuse and exploitation they perpetrate under the false banner of faith.
