Sun Mar 30 15:56:40 UTC 2025: ## Pakistan Drone Strike Kills 12 Terrorists, 9 Civilians
**PESHAWAR, Pakistan (March 30, 2025)** – A counter-terrorism drone strike in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has resulted in the deaths of 12 terrorists and nine civilians, sparking outrage and prompting a government inquiry. The operation, conducted on Saturday morning, targeted militant hideouts in the Katlang area of Mardan district.
Among the terrorists killed were Mohsin Baqir, carrying a PKR 7 million bounty, and his second-in-command. The provincial government stated the operation was based on intelligence reports, but acknowledged that civilians, including women and children, were present near the target zone, leading to unintended casualties.
The incident resulted in protests, with locals blocking a motorway after discovering the bodies, some of which were reportedly beyond recognition. Rescue services have taken the bodies for DNA testing.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur condemned the civilian deaths, calling them “highly condemnable and tragic.” The government has pledged to provide medical assistance to the injured and compensation to victims’ families, while also launching a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the civilian casualties. The government maintains its commitment to eliminating terrorism while upholding the highest standards of operational conduct and preserving civilian safety.
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