Pakistan: 6 children killed in cross-border firing in Bajaur in March-April
Blames Afghan forces; retaliatory action targets firing points
Six children were among nine people killed in cross-border firing and mortar shelling incidents in Pakistan’s restive Bajaur district in the last two months, according to an official report released on Friday.
The Deputy Commissioner of Bajaur released a detailed list of casualties following alleged attacks by Afghan forces in border areas.
According to the list, a total of nine people were killed in the district in March and April, comprising three women and six children.
Several others sustained injuries.
The district administration stated that the incidents occurred in Bajaur’s frontier regions, particularly Mamond and Salarzai.
The district lies in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
A local official said that images and videos of the affected families have surfaced following the incidents, with fear and tension persisting in the area.
Residents have expressed deep concern and anger over the shelling, strongly condemning the alleged targeting of civilian populations.
Officials stated that in response, Pakistan’s security forces targeted alleged firing points and militant positions across the border, while efforts were made to avoid civilian casualties during the retaliatory action.
Officials noted that similar incidents have previously been reported in the border areas of Khyber, Kurram, and Waziristan, resulting in repeated loss of life.
