PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KP Information Advisor Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif on Saturday expressed deep regret over the killing of unarmed civilians, including women and children, during a security operation in Mardan district, stating that the government stands with the affected families in their grief.
The operation was launched in the mountainous area of Katling after credible intelligence indicated the presence of terrorists using the region as a hideout. However, Barrister Saif acknowledged that unarmed civilians were inadvertently caught in the crossfire, calling the incident “heartbreaking.”
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“The loss of innocent lives is deeply regrettable,” he said in a statement, extending condolences to the bereaved families. He assured that the government would provide immediate medical aid to the injured and compensation to the families of the deceased.
While emphasizing that civilian protection remains a top priority, Saif noted that the complex terrain and the terrorists’ tactic of blending into local populations sometimes lead to unintended consequences. He confirmed that several high-value terrorists involved in recent attacks were neutralized during the operation.
The advisor vowed a thorough review to prevent such tragedies in future operations while reaffirming the government’s resolve to combat terrorism.
