On the social media platform X, Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar has stated that 17 foreign militants were killed in the Katlang operation, with no harm caused to any civilians. He also clarified that no drone strike took place.

He further wrote that the nearest residential areas were 6 to 9 kilometers away from the operation site and that no civilian houses were present in the vicinity.

The Federal Minister for Information also mentioned that in a local jirga, some individuals had assured support to the foreign militants, and videos confirming this are available.

Attaullah Tarar stated that militants had planned an attack in Mardan on Eid, which was thwarted due to the successful operation. He also accused the PTI government of never condemning the thousands of attacks carried out in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

KP government announces investigate of Katlang drone attack

He further added that when the militants spread false news of a drone strike, PTI adopted an anti-army narrative and even went to console them. He claimed that those spreading fake news were facilitators of these militants.

Earlier, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Adviser on Information, Barrister Saif, released a video statement regarding the Katlang incident in Mardan. He asserted that the provincial government would not permit such operations in the future. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has ordered an immediate investigation into the tragic incident, urging that the facts be revealed as soon as possible. Once the findings are available, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government will present a strong stance on the matter.