Militants blow up under-construction school in Khyber Agency

In another incident, unknown assailants open fire at Kharsada forces

PESHAWAR: An under construction primary school was razed to the ground in Khyber Agency when bombs planted by militants exploded near it early Thursday morning.

An official of the political administration in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) told The Express Tribune that the school, located in Sawa area of the Tirah Valley of Bara Sub-division, was being built keeping in view the repatriation of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Educational institutes across tribal areas have frequently come under attack by the militants.

Last year, an explosion outside a school in the Zarif Kor area of Shabqadar in Charsadda Tehsil injured a watchman, prompting the school authorities to shut it down.

“An improvised explosive device planted in front of a private school in Zarif Kor in the jurisdiction of the Sro Kali Police Station went off at around 6.30 am before the school’s opening time,” said Inam Jan, a police officer.

In another incident, unidentified assailants opened fire at a Khyber Khasadar Force patrolling party on Thursday, leaving at least one injured.

The Khasadar force was attacked in the Dars Jumat area of Bara Sub-division. The injured was shifted to a local hospital.