SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: A 47-year-old woman was killed on Sunday night when a mortar shell struck a house in Kot Langarkhel village in the Ladha tehsil of Upper South Waziristan, triggering widespread grief and a protest by the Mehsud tribe.

The incident purportedly occurred during a late-night exchange of fire between militants and security forces, after an alleged attack on a security checkpoint.

The district administration confirmed that the woman was critically injured when a mortar shell landed on her residence during the crossfire.

She was shifted to the Civil Hospital in Ladha, where she succumbed to her injuries.

According to sources, mortar shells fired by both militants and security forces landed in three different villages, including Ghowak, Kot Langarkhel and Sultana, with the incident in Kot Langarkhel proving to be fatal.

Following the funeral, members of the Mehsud tribe staged a protest outside the Ladha Fort, demanding an immediate investigation.

Meanwhile, the district administration expressed condolence to the bereaved family and assured that financial assistance would be provided to them.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2025