The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government issued an apology on Saturday for the civilian casualties that occurred during a counterterrorism operation in the Katlang area of Mardan district. The government also announced that an investigation into the incident was underway.
The apology comes amid a rise in terrorist activities across Pakistan, particularly in KP and Balochistan, following the end of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan’s ceasefire with the government in November 2022.
According to the government statement, the operation was launched in the early hours of Saturday based on credible intelligence regarding the presence of militants using a remote hilltop in the area as a hideout and transit point. The statement reported that the operation successfully neutralized several high-value targets linked to ongoing militant activities. However, it was later confirmed that civilians, including women and children, were present in the periphery of the target area, resulting in tragic casualties.
The government described the incident as “immensely painful and regrettable” and assured that all efforts are made to avoid collateral damage during such operations. “The complex terrain, the deliberate tactics of militants to embed within civilian populations, and the fog of war can sometimes lead to unintended consequences,” the statement read.
The KP government extended its condolences to the affected families, vowing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the civilian presence in the area, provide medical assistance to the injured, and facilitate relief and compensation for the victims’ families.
“Security forces are committed to upholding the highest standards of operational conduct while focusing on eliminating threats and preserving civilian safety,” the statement continued. “The sacrifices of our people are not forgotten, and we remain united in our resolve for peace and security in KP.”
Protests Erupt in Swat Over ‘Drone Strike’
In Swat, protests erupted following claims that a drone strike, rather than a ground operation, was responsible for the civilian deaths in Katlang. Dr. Amjad Ali, an MPA from Swat, posted a video on his Facebook page, alleging that a drone strike killed nine members of a family from the Gujjar community.
Dr. Ali described the tragic incident, stating that a family from Swat, who had temporarily settled in Katlang for the winter to tend to their livestock, was targeted. “Nine people were martyred in the strike, and some children are still missing. The bodies are difficult to identify because of their condition,” he said.
The lawmaker questioned the federal government and authorities, asking what crime these peaceful people had committed. He also criticized restrictions on local officials and residents from accessing the area to collect the bodies, saying they were told, “You will not collect dead bodies, you will not film videos here.”
Demonstrators from the Gujjar community in Swat took to the streets to protest the incident. They claimed the deaths occurred due to a drone strike carried out by security forces. The victims, who had been shepherds migrating seasonally, were identified as Hazrat Bilal, Noor Muhammad, Wazir, Amroz Khan, Shahazada alias Shah Da, two women, and two children.
Grief-stricken relatives laid the bodies on the Swat Motorway, blocking both lanes to demand justice. A heavy police presence was deployed at the scene to maintain order.
Jannat Gul, a relative of the victims, said, “We are a peaceful shepherd community engaged in seasonal migration, and we carry only small sticks and sickles for our livestock and grass cutting.”
Community leader Jalat Khan called for justice and demanded compensation for the victims’ families under the martyrs’ package. He warned that if their demands were not met, the entire Gujjar community would protest again after Eidul Fitr.
The demonstrators also demanded that authorities register a first information report (FIR) regarding the killings and threatened to block the Swat Motorway again if their call for justice was ignored.
Rising Terrorist Attacks and Civilian Casualties
According to a report from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), the number of terrorist attacks in Pakistan rose slightly in February. The report noted that 79 terrorist attacks resulted in 55 civilian deaths and 47 security personnel deaths, with 45 civilians and 81 security personnel injured. Security forces responded by intensifying counterterrorism operations, eliminating 156 terrorists and arresting 66, the report stated.
As the investigation continues, the KP government is under scrutiny for the tragic loss of life during the operation, while protests across the region reflect the growing concerns over security operations and their impact on civilians.
