Remote detonation: IED blast kills tribal elder in Salarzai

Momin Khan died while he was being shifted to the hospital

SHABQADAR: A tribal elder was killed when an improvised explosive device went off in Gang area of Salarzai tehsil, Bajaur Agency on Wednesday.

An official of the political administration told The Express Tribune Momin Khan was critically injured when an IED planted on the road went off while he was passing through the area. The injured was immediately rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries on the way.

The official added a search operation was conducted after the incident and suspects have been arrested.

A day earlier, the political administration suspended cellular services in the region. No reason was cited for the decision and service providers have been asked to seek a no-objection certificate from relevant authorities.

An employee of a local service provider told The Express Tribune services of three cellular companies have been suspended.

“However, the services of PTCL remain unaffected,” he said. “As a result, locals faced difficulties in communicating with each other.” Shabqadar, located about 150 kilometres northwest of Islamabad, is adjacent to  Mohmand Agency, which has seen several attacks in recent weeks.

Earlier on March 7, at least 16 people, including three police personnel, were killed in a suicide attack in a court complex in Charsadda district.

On March 1, a convoy of vehicles was targeted in Mohmand, killing two employees of US Consulate in Peshawar.

On February 18, militants killed nine paramilitary personnel in two separate attacks on check posts in Mohmand.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2016.