The bodies of the deceased were shifted to the hospital for post-mortem.
Courtesy: Rescue 1122, Mardan
At least nine civilians were allegedly killed during a security operation against militants in the Mardan district of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Information, confirmed civilian casualties in the operation, calling it a "tragic" incident.
“A counter-terrorism operation was launched based on confirmed intelligence about militant hideouts. Unfortunately, some unarmed civilians were present near the site, leading to their deaths,” he said.
He also said that the government would provide compensation to the affected families.
“Ensuring civilian safety is a priority, but challenging terrain, militant tactics, and operational urgency can sometimes result in unintended consequences,” he emphasized.
According to a list provided by Rescue 1122, the deceased included two women and seven men.
Amir Zaman, a relative of the victims, told Nuktathat his relatives, who were shepherds, were temporarily residing in a shelter in the Shamozai area of Katlang when the incident occurred.
“There were 10 people inside the shelter when airstrikes and shelling began in the morning, killing nine of them. Only my cousin, Lal Zaman, survived, who later informed the rest of the family,” Zaman said.
Following the deaths, family members and locals staged a protest by placing their loved ones' bodies on the Swat Expressway. The demonstration ended after district authorities assured an investigation into the incident.
Security personnel stand around as family members of those killed in attack stage a protest on the Swat Expressway.Courtesy: Local resident
Abbas Khan, media coordinator for Rescue 1122 Mardan, told Nuktathat the emergency service was alerted around 1 p.m., prompting the dispatch of four ambulances. However, protesters threw stones at rescue teams and police.
“The bodies were handed over to rescue teams by the relatives after successful negotiations with the administration, following which they were shifted to the hospital for post-mortem,” Khan added.
'Presence of civilians unlikely'
A security officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said intelligence reports indicated the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in the area.
“The group was allegedly planning a major terrorist attack during Eid, prompting the operation,” the officer stated.
The official claimed the operation targeted remote mountainous areas, away from civilian settlements, where militants had established hideouts.
“The presence of civilians in these areas was unlikely unless they were facilitating the militants. The rumors circulating on social media appear to be baseless, but we are verifying all details,” the officer said.
Junaid Akbar, the provincial president of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and a member of the National Assembly, condemned the strike.
“This is the height of brutality and oppression. We strongly denounce this inhumane act and stand with the people of Mardan in this moment of grief,” he said.
Dr. Amjad Ali, a provincial minister, assured the victims’ families that post-mortem examinations would be conducted and the government would ensure a thorough investigation.
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