Early reports from northwest Pakistan say that at least 30 people, mostly civilians, have been killed today in the Tirah Valley region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The deaths come after Pakistani air force jets reportedly struck hideouts of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Local sources allege that several homes were destroyed in the strikes, with victims including women and children. Opposition leaders have condemned the attack, saying that civilians were possibly used as human shields. They are demanding accountability and clarification from the government.
As of now, there is no official confirmation on the full scale of the casualties from the Pakistan government. The TTP hideouts were claimed to be used for militant operations, per military sources.
This incident has raised serious concerns from civil society groups about the increasing number of civilian lives lost in operations targeting militant groups. As more information emerges, there is likely to be scrutiny over the adequacy of measures to protect non-combatants in conflict zones.
About Tirah Valley
Tirah, also spelled Terah, is a mountainous region situated in Orakzai District and the southern part of Khyber District in Pakistan. It lies between the Khyber Pass and the Khanki Valley, covering an area of approximately 600–700 square miles.
The valley is predominantly inhabited by Pashtun tribes, while minority communities known as Hamsaya (protected peoples) also reside there. Among them is a small Sikh community, primarily engaged in trade and various professions.
Tirah Valley is known for its rugged terrain and strategic location. It comprises several smaller valleys around the source of the Bara River. The five chief valleys are:
Maidan
Rajgul
Waran
Bara
Mastura
Because of its location and tribal composition, Tirah has historically been a center of both cultural identity and conflict, making it an area of strategic importance in Pakistan’s northwest.
