Deadly suspected drone strike in Bajaur claims 3 lives, leaves 8 injured

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Saeedur Rahman confirmed that the incident occurred in the Shinkot area near Pakistan Chowk, where the home of Syed Wali Jan, son of Ajab

BAJAUR: At least three people, including two children, were killed and eight others sustained injuries after a suspected drone struck a residential house in the Mamund tehsil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur district on Thursday, police officials said.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Saeedur Rahman confirmed that the incident occurred in the Shinkot area near Pakistan Chowk, where the home of Syed Wali Jan, son of Ajab Khan, was hit in what authorities believe was a drone attack.

The victims were identified as 15-year-old Ishaq, son of Mirzaman, 30-year-old Imtiaz, son of Bakhtiar, and five-year-old Muneeba, daughter of Bakhtiar. Among the injured were several women and children. Rescue teams shifted the wounded to the District Headquarters Hospital in Khar, where they are receiving medical treatment.

Police have launched an investigation to determine the origin of the suspected drone and identify those responsible for the attack. DSP Rahman said investigators and other relevant agencies are collecting evidence from the scene and examining all possible aspects of the incident. He added that further details would be shared once the investigation is complete.

The latest tragedy follows a series of similar incidents in Bajaur. In May, two schoolchildren lost their lives in a suspected drone strike in the Shah Tangi area of Mamund tehsil, while another suspected drone attack on a local cricket ground during the same month injured three people. In both cases, authorities were unable to determine who carried out the attacks.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continues to face serious security challenges amid a rise in militant violence. According to official security assessments, the province recorded a sharp increase in terrorism-related incidents over the past year, with security forces intensifying intelligence-based operations against militant groups.

Authorities reported that thousands of search and intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of more than 1,200 suspected militants, while hundreds of militants were killed during operations. Despite these efforts, attacks on security personnel and civilians have continued, particularly in districts including Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, Hangu and Peshawar, where officials say militant activity remains a significant concern.