12 terrorists killed in drone strikes by Pakistani forces, nine civilian deaths reported

Drone attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa kill 12 terrorists and 9 civilians, sparking condemnation and calls for investigation.

Twelve terrorists have been killed, while nine civilians lost their lives when security forces conducted drone attacks on militant hideouts in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.

The "counter-terrorism operation" on Saturday (March 29, 2025) morning targeted terrorists' hideouts in the remote hilltop area of Katlang in the Mardan district, a provincial government statement said.

Rescue 1122 spokesman Muhammad Abbas told PTI they shifted seven men and two women to Mardan Medical Complex from a protest site on the Mardan-Swat Motorway on the instructions of the district deputy commissioner.

The spokesman said the bodies were beyond recognition and were badly mutilated. Locals from the area claimed those killed were shepherds from Swat district.

The spokesman said locals in protest placed the bodies on the motorway and closed it for a few hours. It was, however, reopened after negotiations.

The spokesman said the bodies after negotiations were handed over to Rescue Service 1122 for DNA tests.

Another official said 12 terrorists were killed during the operation.