At least three civilians, including a woman and two children, were killed and three others seriously injured in reported cross-border shelling in the Katkot border area of Bajaur district, according to local and security sources.

Officials said the shelling struck Malik Shaheen village, where a residential house was hit, resulting in multiple casualties from the same family. The injured were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment, where their condition was reported to be critical.

Security sources claimed that the firing originated from across the Afghan border, adding that Pakistani forces had recently been engaged in heightened border vigilance amid reported attempts by armed groups to infiltrate the area. They said such attempts had been foiled in recent days, increasing tensions along the frontier.

Following the incident, Pakistani security forces reportedly responded with counterfire targeting positions believed to be responsible for the shelling across the border.

Authorities said further assessment of damage on the other side was ongoing.

Residents of the area expressed grief and anger over the civilian deaths, calling for measures to prevent further escalation and ensure protection of border communities.

Security officials reiterated that forces remain on high alert and are determined to safeguard civilian lives and maintain stability in the region as tensions persist along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border.