**30 Civilians Killed as Pakistan Air Force Bombs Taliban Hideouts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa**
*By Snehil Singh | Sep 22, 2025, 01:47 PM*
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At least 30 civilians were killed in an airstrike conducted by the Pakistan Air Force in Matre Dara village, Tirah Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Monday, according to multiple reports. The attack occurred around 2:00 AM when eight LS-6 bombs were dropped from JF-17 fighter jets. The blasts destroyed a large part of the Pashtun-majority village and left many injured, though details of their condition remain unknown.
### Targeted Operation Against TTP Hideouts
Local media reports indicate that the airstrike targeted Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts in the region. This strike is part of a series of military operations aimed at combating terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province that shares a border with Afghanistan.
In a related operation, seven TTP terrorists were killed on Sunday during an intelligence-based raid in the Dera Ismail Khan district, as confirmed by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
### Rising Security Concerns Amid Escalating Terrorism
Pakistan has seen a significant rise in terrorist activities, especially in provinces adjoining Afghanistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently urged Afghanistan to make a clear choice: either side with terrorists or stand with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been the focus of numerous counter-terrorism operations; however, these efforts have often resulted in civilian casualties, exacerbating the region’s security and humanitarian challenges.
### Human Rights Concerns and Criticism
In June, Amnesty International criticized the Pakistani government for failing to protect civilians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Isabelle Lassee, Amnesty’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, stated, “Pakistani authorities have failed to protect civilians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who continue to pay the price of escalating drone strikes.” She also highlighted a “disturbing rise” in attacks since March this year.
### Increasing Terror Incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
According to police data, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded 605 terror incidents from January to August 2025. These attacks resulted in the deaths of at least 138 civilians and 79 police personnel. In August alone, there were 129 such incidents, including the deaths of six personnel from the Pakistan Army and the paramilitary Federal Constabulary.
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The recent airstrike and continuing military operations reflect Pakistan’s ongoing struggle to contain terrorism in volatile border regions, even as concerns over civilian safety and human rights persist.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/pakistan-bombs-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-village-30-killed/story
