5 militants die as blast hits TTP hideout

IED went off inside their hideout in Khyber Agency’s remote Tirah Valley, says a security official

JAMRUD:

At least five militants were killed early Monday when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off inside their hideout in Khyber Agency’s remote Tirah Valley, a security official said.

“Five militants died in a blast inside a Tehreek-e-Taliban hideout in the early hours of the morning,” he said, adding that the incident took place in the valley’s Rajgul area.

According to the official, it was unclear whether the IED went off during preparation or was triggered by some other factor. The entire hideout was destroyed, he said.

Independent sources from the area were unable to confirm reports of the incident due to the hideout’s remote location.

Meanwhile, security forces rounded up 12 suspects by Frontier Corps, Levies and khasadar personnel during a search operation in the Shagai area of Jamrud tehsil.  The suspects have been moved to Shagai fort for further investigation.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30^th, 2014.