Mir Ali, North Waziristan, December 11, 2025: Two children were killed and eight others injured on Thursday when an explosion tore through a madrassah in the Isori village of Mir Ali, security sources said.
According to initial reports, the blast occurred when children accidentally triggered explosive material left behind by Khawarij militants, who had planted improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the area to obstruct the movement of security forces.
Security officials said that 114 square kilometres in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had earlier been identified as contaminated with IEDs and landmines. Of these, 82 square kilometres have been cleared so far, while demining efforts in the remaining areas are continuing “at an accelerated pace.”
Incidents involving children unknowingly playing with unexploded ordnance remain a persistent threat in the region.
In August 2025, five children were killed and 13 others — including two women — injured when a mortar shell exploded in the Langerkhel Surband area of Lakki Marwat district.
Police and rescue officials at the time said that children had discovered a mortar round in nearby fields and brought it home, mistaking it for a toy. The shell detonated as they played with it near a rainwater-filled underground tank, resulting in multiple casualties.
