Over 50 educational institutions in districts bordering Afghanistan were shut on Monday after an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) crashed into the building of Governor Model High School in Ghalanai tehsil of Mohmand district, officials said.
Mohmand Deputy Commissioner Yasir Hassan confirmed the incident and said security forces were “attempting to shoot down” another drone detected in the area. UAV debris was found on the school’s veranda; there were no casualties and no significant structural damage. Security around the compound was tightened and the area cordoned off for inspection.
Following the incident, at least 54 government schools in Mohmand district were closed, according to an official notification from the DC’s office: one in Ghalanai, 33 in Baizai, 10 in Safi and two in Khwezai. The district administration in North Waziristan ordered the closure of 33 educational institutions in sensitive border areas, including 16 girls’ schools.
Authorities in Bajaur tribal district also announced that 39 government schools in various border areas will remain closed until further notice owing to the prevailing security situation. A meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Shahid Ali Khan issued the notification for those closures.
“Students’ safety is our top priority. Given the current circumstances, the temporary suspension of academic activities was unavoidable,” a senior district official said, adding: “Parents are requested to cooperate with the administration and restrict unnecessary movement of their children.”
PTI | Islamabad, Updated At: 04:23 PM Mar 02, 2026 IST
