• At least 24 people, including civilians, killed in a Pakistani air strike in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
• The military is accused of using aerial bombardment against suspected TTP hideouts.
• Local politicians demand an investigation into the incident.
• Militants reportedly use civilians as human shields in ongoing conflicts.

A Pakistani air strike in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province reportedly killed at least 24 individuals, primarily civilians, as well as several members of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Local sources indicate that the bombing targeted a compound believed to be storing bomb-making materials, which exploded, leading to significant destruction and casualties, according to Indiatimes and TRT Global.

Local police officer Zafar Khan has alleged that of the reported casualties, at least 10 were civilians, including children and women, while confirming that numerous militants also died in the blasts. Opposition politicians have accused the Pakistani military of conducting the aerial operation as part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts against the TTP, which has ramped up violence in the region, reports South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.

In reaction to the event, local opposition members have called for investigations into the air strike, condemning it as an "attack on unarmed civilians" and attributing the death toll to military bombardment. Despite the lack of an official statement from the military, allegations suggest that security forces utilized aircraft to conduct the bombing, exacerbating tensions in an area already struggling with militant threats and collateral damage, according to South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has called for an immediate inquiry into the incident, expressing shock at the civilian casualties reported and demanding accountability from the authorities. As the Pakistani military continues operations against the TTP, concerns about the safety of civilians in conflict zones grow, emphasizing the need to protect human life amid coordinated military actions, according to Al Jazeera.