Islamabad: At least 30 people, including women and children, were killed when the Pakistan Air Force carried out airstrikes in the Tirah Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province early on Monday, according to multiple reports.

The incident occurred in the village of Matre Dara around 2 AM, when JF-17 fighter jets dropped eight LS-6 precision-guided bombs. Initial accounts suggest that the strikes targeted suspected hideouts of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, but many of the victims were civilians.

Houses were flattened in the attack, and residents were seen digging through the rubble in search of survivors.

Local police indicated that a militant compound in the area may have contained bomb-making materials, which could have intensified the blast. Authorities have not yet released an official statement on the number of civilian casualties. Conflicting reports have emerged, with some accounts suggesting all of the dead were civilians, while others claim a mix of militants and non-combatants.

The strike has raised concerns over the use of heavy precision munitions in populated areas. Independent verification of the incident remains limited, with casualty figures still under assessment. Human rights observers and aid agencies are calling for clarity on the events and an investigation into civilian losses.

The Tirah Valley, bordering Afghanistan, has long been a hotspot for militant activity and military operations. The latest incident underscores the fragile security situation in the region, where civilians often bear the brunt of clashes between state forces and insurgents.