Saturday, March 29, 2025
Pakistan Air Force Bombs Its Own Territory, 30 Civilians Killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Strike
September 22, 2025 –
In a shocking development, the Pakistan Air Force carried out a deadly airstrike on its own soil, killing at least 30 civilians, including women and children, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Monday when Pakistani fighter jets dropped eight LS-6 class precision-guided bombs on Matre Dara village in the Tirah Valley. The bombs were released from Chinese-made JF-17 fighter aircraft, causing widespread destruction in the village and surrounding areas. Reports confirm that all the casualties were local residents, not militants.
So far, the Pakistani government has not issued any official statement regarding the attack. Local media reports suggest that more than 20 people were injured in the explosions, and many villagers are still missing. Eyewitnesses said residents were asleep when deafening blasts shook the entire valley. The scale of the bombing was so severe that a large part of the settlement was flattened.
Disturbing images and videos from the site show bodies of victims, including children, lying amid rubble as rescue teams search for survivors. Officials fear the death toll could rise further as many remain trapped under debris.
The airstrike highlights the deepening internal conflict within Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a region long plagued by militancy and instability. Despite repeated military operations, the Pakistani government has struggled to establish full control over the area.
Reports indicate that the injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals, while rescue workers continue searching for missing persons.
According to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police data, between January and August this year, the province witnessed 605 terror-related incidents, leaving 138 civilians and 79 police personnel dead. In August alone, 129 such incidents were recorded, including attacks that killed six soldiers from the Pakistani Army and paramilitary Frontier Constabulary.
Given the region’s history, analysts suggest the Air Force may have been targeting suspected militant hideouts. However, the heavy civilian death toll has raised serious questions about the military’s strategy and the lack of transparency from Islamabad.
For years, India has urged Pakistan to dismantle terrorist bases operating within its territory, especially near the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and along the international border. Yet, the latest strike shows Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts remain both controversial and tragically costly for its own citizens.
