F.P Report
Khyber – At least 25 people were killed and several others injured on Sunday in a powerful explosion that struck a compound in the Tirah Valley of Khyber district, police and local officials confirmed.
According to Khyber Police Officer Zafar Khan, the blast occurred inside a structure believed to have been used by militants for storing explosives. “So far, 14 militants and 11 civilians, including women and children, have been confirmed dead,” Khan told reporters. Rescue efforts were continuing at the site late into the evening.
Witnesses reported extensive damage to nearby houses, with several families caught in the blast wave. Local hospitals said they had received multiple injured, some in critical condition. Emergency teams and security personnel cordoned off the area immediately after the explosion.
There were conflicting accounts regarding the cause of the incident. Police sources maintained that the explosion was triggered by the detonation of explosives being stored in the compound. However, some local lawmakers claimed the destruction was the result of an airstrike. Independent verification of either account was not immediately possible.
The authorities have not issued an official statement beyond confirming the number of casualties. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan called for a transparent inquiry into the incident, citing the civilian deaths.
Tirah Valley, which lies near the Afghan border, has long been a stronghold of various militant groups and has witnessed repeated clashes between security forces and insurgents. Despite multiple clearance operations in recent years, security officials acknowledge that the area remains volatile.
Funeral prayers for several victims were offered in different villages of Tirah on Sunday evening. Law enforcement agencies said investigations were under way to determine the exact cause of the blast and to identify those responsible.
