Two school children killed in drone attack in Pakistan's Bajaur district
Synopsis
Two schoolboys aged 10 and 12 were killed by a quadcopter drone in Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — the latest in a series of drone attacks targeting civilians and politicians in the same area. With no group claiming responsibility and the drone's origin unknown, the incident underscores a dangerous new tactic taking hold in one of Pakistan's most volatile regions.
Key Takeaways
Two school children, aged 10 and 12 , were killed in a quadcopter drone attack in Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on 21 May 2025 .
The attack occurred in the Sahi Thangi area , approximately 25 km from Khar , the district headquarters.
Both children were returning home from school when they were struck; they were pronounced dead at District Headquarters Hospital, Khar .
No group has claimed responsibility; the drone's origin remains unknown and police have launched an investigation.
PTI MPA Hamidur Rehman and Bajaur Aman Jirga chief Sahibzada Haroon Rashid condemned the attack and demanded a probe.
Bajaur has seen multiple drone attacks in recent months, including an attack on a cricket ground in May 2025 and one targeting a lawmaker's home in November 2024 .
Two school children were killed on Thursday, 21 May after a quadcopter drone struck the Sahi Thangi area of Bajaur district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, according to local media reports citing residents and official sources. The attack occurred in the afternoon, roughly 25 kilometres from Khar, the district headquarters of Bajaur.
What Happened
The two boys, aged 10 and 12, were on their way home from school when the quadcopter struck them, leaving them critically injured. They were rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital in Khar but were pronounced dead on arrival, according to reports from Pakistan's daily Dawn.
It remains unclear where the drone was launched from and who was responsible for the attack. Local police have confirmed that an investigation has been launched to determine the motive.
Political Condemnation
The attack drew sharp condemnation from Hamidur Rehman, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA), and Bajaur Aman Jirga chief Sahibzada Haroon Rashid. Both leaders issued statements through their respective social media accounts, condemning the incident in 'the strongest terms' and calling for a thorough investigation.
A Disturbing Pattern of Drone Attacks in Bajaur
This is not an isolated incident. Last November, PTI MPA Anwar Zeb Khan disclosed that his home in the Raghagan area of Khar tehsil was targeted in a quadcopter attack on 28 November, injuring one of his security guards. In a video statement, he said: 'My house in Raghagan, Khar tehsil, was targeted by a drone (quadcopter) attack by unknown individuals tonight, injuring one of my security guards.'
Earlier in May 2025, at least three people were injured when a quadcopter was used in a terrorist drone attack on a cricket ground in the Mamund area of Bajaur, while a match was in progress, according to state broadcaster PTV News. That attack also occurred in the Shahi Tangi area of Mamund tehsil.
Security Concerns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The repeated use of quadcopter drones in Bajaur district signals a troubling shift in the tactics of armed groups operating in the region. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has long been one of Pakistan's most volatile provinces, bordering Afghanistan and historically plagued by militant activity. The use of commercially available drones for targeted attacks adds a new and difficult-to-counter dimension to the security challenge facing local authorities.
With no group having claimed responsibility for Thursday's attack, investigators face the task of tracing the drone's origin and establishing accountability in a region where such incidents have become increasingly frequent.
Point of View
Targeting a cricket ground, a lawmaker's home, and now children walking back from school, suggest an actor with both access to commercial drone technology and a willingness to strike soft targets. The fact that no group has claimed responsibility in any of these incidents is itself a red flag — it could indicate state-adjacent actors, inter-tribal conflict, or a militant group deliberately avoiding attribution. Pakistan's security establishment faces a credibility test: if it cannot trace a quadcopter in a district it has garrisoned for years, the drone threat will only escalate.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Bajaur drone attack on 21 May 2025?
A quadcopter drone struck two school children in the Sahi Thangi area of Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on 21 May 2025. The boys, aged 10 and 12, were returning home from school and were pronounced dead at the District Headquarters Hospital in Khar.
Who is responsible for the Bajaur quadcopter attack?
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack as of the latest reports. It remains unclear where the drone was launched from; local police have launched an investigation to determine the motive and identify those behind the strike.
Is this the first drone attack in Bajaur district?
No. Bajaur has seen multiple quadcopter attacks in recent months. In May 2025, three people were injured in a drone strike on a cricket ground in the Mamund area. In November 2024, PTI MPA Anwar Zeb Khan's home in Khar tehsil was targeted, injuring a security guard.
What has been the political reaction to the attack?
PTI MPA Hamidur Rehman and Bajaur Aman Jirga chief Sahibzada Haroon Rashid condemned the attack in 'the strongest terms' through their social media accounts and called for a full investigation into the incident.
Why is Bajaur district significant in Pakistan's security context?
Bajaur district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa borders Afghanistan and has historically been a flashpoint for militant activity. The recent wave of quadcopter attacks signals a shift toward the use of commercially available drone technology for targeted strikes, posing new challenges for local security forces.
