KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, Sept 22 – At least 30 people, including women and children, were killed early Monday when Pakistani fighter jets carried out airstrikes on a village in the Tirah Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to local media and eyewitness reports.
The bombing began around 2 a.m. when eight LS-6 precision glide bombs were dropped on Matre Dara village, flattening homes and reducing entire neighbourhoods to rubble. Rescue teams rushed to the scene but described widespread devastation, with bodies scattered across the streets and survivors frantically searching for relatives.
Local sources said many victims were asleep when the bombs struck, leaving families unable to escape. “By morning, the village was littered with bodies,” one eyewitness told reporters, adding that livestock and personal belongings were also destroyed. Officials warned the death toll could rise as several of the injured remain in critical condition.
Disturbing images shared online showed the aftermath of the attack, including children’s bodies among the dead. Humanitarian groups expressed alarm, saying the strikes highlighted a deepening civilian toll in Pakistan’s military campaigns in the tribal belt.
Analysts noted that the use of LS-6 precision-guided bombs suggested the strikes were deliberate rather than accidental. They argued the incident may amount to a breach of international humanitarian law, which prohibits indiscriminate attacks on civilian populations.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has witnessed frequent counter-terrorism operations over the past two decades, many of which have triggered accusations of human rights violations. Amnesty International and other rights groups have repeatedly called on Pakistan to ensure civilian protection during security operations.
In June, Amnesty warned that escalating drone and air strikes in the region revealed a “shocking disregard for civilian life.” Isabelle Lassee, Amnesty’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, said last week: “Pakistani authorities have failed to protect civilians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who continue to pay the price of escalating drone strikes. Last Friday’s drone strike, which killed a child, is part of a disturbing rise in attacks since March.”
Monday’s attack has reignited concerns that Pakistan’s counter-insurgency tactics are fueling instability rather than resolving it. Survivors in Matre Dara expressed outrage, saying the village had no militant presence and was targeted without warning.
Authorities in Islamabad have not issued a statement on the incident at the time of reporting. Meanwhile, relief teams continue to clear rubble in the hope of finding survivors, even as families bury their dead in makeshift graves. (Agencies)
