Pakistan police said on September 22 that an alleged explosion of bomb-making material stored by Pakistani Taliban militants in a courtyard in the country's turbulent northwest had killed at least 24 people, including militants and civilians.

The explosion, which destroyed several homes nearby, occurred in the Tilah Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Local police officer Zafar Khan said at least 10 civilians were killed, including women and children, and at least 14 militants were killed.

The bombed compound was allegedly used as a factory to produce roadside bombs. Pakistani police accused militants of using civilians as human shields.

Pakistani security forces are carrying out operations against the Pakistani Taliban in Khyber and Bajar in the northwest.

There has been a surge in recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan, most of which are carried out by the Pakistani Taliban.

Source: Reference News