Militant violence: Schoolgirl killed in N Waziristan IED blast

NORTH WAZIRISTAN: A girl student died while three others sustained serious injuries in a blast that took place at the gate of the Girls Primary School in North Waziristan Tuesday morning.

According to locals, an improvised explosive device (IED) was planted next to the school gate in Abba Khel Village, Spinwam sub-division that went off when the gate was opened. As a result one student, namely Akhmara died while three of her class fellows were seriously injured.

The political administration has confirmed the death of a girl student and added that the explosives were placed next to the school gate and when the student pushed the gate, it went off. The injured students were shifted to the Mir Ali Headquarters hospital.

Meanwhile, a 10-year-old boy Shakirullah was injured when he accidently stepped on a hidden landmine in Manzara Village in Tairza tehsil of the South Waziristan Agency.

While confirming the accident, an official of the Political Administration said the incident occurred about three days ago.

The boy was taken to DI Khan District Headquarters and Teaching Hospital for treatment.

Political Agent South Waziristan Agency, Zafarul Islam Khattak had announced Rs20,000 cash for the injured and also offered to bear the expenses for his treatment.

The brother of the injured boy said: “It is good that Shakirullah will get free treatment, but we hope that this time they (the political administration) meant that and we got what we have been promised,” adding, “The compensation amount too needs to be enhanced as Rs20,000 is a meagre sum in today’s inflationary world.” (With additional input from Zulfiqar Ali in DI Khan)

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2016.