Pakistani air and ground operations in North Waziristan on Tuesday left at least four civilians dead and 29 others wounded, according to local sources who said women and children were among the victims.
Residents told Amu TV that the strikes, carried out in the Bajaur district, were part of what the Pakistani military described as an operation against illegal weapons. Since Tuesday evening, authorities have also imposed a curfew in the area.
The offensive, locals said, involved both heavy and light weapons and has intensified in recent days. Armed groups opposing the government reportedly clashed with security forces in parts of Bajaur, raising fears that the toll could climb.
But residents accused the military of targeting civilian homes. “There are no illegal weapons here,” one resident said. “The district governor is our friend. They are only killing civilians and burning people’s houses.”
The latest strikes come amid a series of deadly operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in recent months, where dozens of civilians, including women and children, have been killed or wounded in drone and rocket attacks, according to local reports.
Pakistani authorities have not commented publicly on Tuesday’s operations or on claims of civilian casualties.
