ISLAMABAD: The banned terrorist outfit Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has turned the Shadala Mosque in the Tirah Maidan area into a hideout and operational base, drawing sharp criticism for what observers describe as a blatant violation of the sanctity of mosques and Islamic teachings.
According to information circulating on social media, the terrorists remained inside the mosque and madrassa while carrying weapons, an act seen as a deliberate breach of the holiness traditionally associated with places of worship.
Islamic scholars and religious doctrine widely hold that mosques are spaces meant exclusively for prayer, peace, and spiritual reflection, not for armed activity or terrorism.
مانیٹرنگ:
تیراہ میں خوارج کی جانب سے عبادت گاہوں کے تقدس کی پامالی جاری — شڈالہ مدرسہ کو خوارج نے اپنا اڈہ اور مسجد کو مورچہ بنا لیا
اطلاعات کے مطابق، تیراہ میدان کے علاقے میں واقع شڈالہ مدرسہ کو خوارج مورچے کے طور پر استعمال کررہے ہیں۔
خوارج اسلحہ سمیت مسجد اور مدرسے کے… pic.twitter.com/wE7N94eWTv
— Eagle Eye (@zarrar_11PK) February 8, 2026
The use of the mosque for terrorist operations has been cited as evidence of what critics call the group’s disregard for Islam itself. Religious principles explicitly prohibit violence within mosques, stressing their role as sanctuaries of safety for worshippers and surrounding communities.
By converting sacred religious spaces into military positions, the terrorists have, according to critics, exposed their ideological deviation and misuse of religion to legitimise violence. Such actions not only undermine Islamic values but also place civilians and worshippers at serious risk, as militarised mosques can become targets during conflict.
Observers argue that the militarisation of mosques reflects a broader pattern in which Khawarij (TTP) have shown contempt for religious sanctity, leaving no space untouched. Analysts warn that turning places of peace into arenas of violence erodes public trust in religious institutions and deepens fear among local populations.
The incident has renewed debate over the protection of mosques and madrassas in conflict-affected areas, with calls for greater safeguards to ensure that religious spaces are not exploited for armed purposes and that their sanctity is preserved in line with Islamic teachings.
