New Delhi: At least 30 civilians, including women and children, were killed on Monday when the Pakistani Air Force carried out airstrikes on the Matre Dara village in Tirah Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The strikes occurred around 2 a.m., with fighter jets reportedly dropping eight LS-6 bombs, resulting in significant destruction and a high civilian death toll.
Local media reported multiple injuries, though the condition of the wounded remains unclear. Disturbing images and videos from the site showed bodies, including children, scattered across the village, while rescue teams continued to search under rubble, raising concerns that the death toll could rise further.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has witnessed numerous counter-terrorism operations in the past, many of which have resulted in civilian casualties. Police records indicate that between January and August 2025, the province experienced 605 terror incidents, killing at least 138 civilians and 79 police personnel. August alone saw 129 incidents, including the deaths of six Pakistan Army and paramilitary Federal Constabulary personnel.
Following Operation Sindoor, which targeted and destroyed nine major terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) are reportedly shifting their bases deeper into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, near the Afghan border. The region’s rugged terrain and historical hideouts from the Afghan war era continue to provide militants with natural concealment.
The airstrikes have once again highlighted the persistent security challenges in the province and the ongoing risks faced by civilians in conflict-prone areas.
