Four brothers were killed and a five-year-old child seriously injured after mortar shells fired from across the Afghan border struck a residential area in Bajaur on Sunday.

Local administration and security officials said the mortar attack targeted the Salarzai area of Bajaur district.

One shell hit a house, killing four brothers identified as Sajid, Ayaz, Riaz, and Muaz.

A five-year-old child present in the house sustained severe injuries and was immediately shifted to a hospital for treatment.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the attack was carried out by Afghan Taliban fighters from across the border at a location known as Tabesta Letai, adding that targeting civilian populations constitutes a clear violation of international law.

He said Pakistan’s security forces responded strongly to the positions responsible for the attack and deployed additional personnel in the area.

Local residents and officials strongly condemned the incident, stating that targeting peaceful civilians is unacceptable.

To prevent such attacks in future, security forces have tightened surveillance along the border areas of Bajaur.