Two tribal elders shot dead in South Waziristan

MIRANSHAH:

Two tribal elders were shot dead by unidentified armed men in the Zarmilan area of Toi Khulla tehsil in Lower South Waziristan on Sunday, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police said.

District Police Officer (DPO) Shah Hassan told The Express Tribune that the deceased were identified as Haji Gul and Malik Badshah, both members of the Suleman Khel tribe.

He said the two men were travelling from Gul Kach towards Zarmilan when unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle near Darozanda. Both men suffered multiple bullet wounds and died at the scene, he added. The attackers fled after the shooting.

Police registered a preliminary report at Toi Khulla police station and launched an investigation into the incident. "Every aspect of the incident is being examined," Hassan told The Express Tribune, adding that efforts were under way to identify and arrest those responsible.

According to reports, the blast occurred when Malik Tariq was passing through the market in a vehicle. Police said explosives had allegedly been planted near the plaza during the night and detonated in the morning.

The latest attack in Zarmilan of Tehsil Toi Khulla once again raised concerns about the safety of tribal elders and ordinary citizens in Lower South Waziristan, where residents have repeatedly called for stronger security measures.

Cop martyred in Lakki

A police officer was martyred and another injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire on them while they were on patrol in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Lakki Marwat on Sunday, Lakki Marwat Superintendent of Police (SP) Investigation Salahuddin Kundi told The Express Tribune.

The officers were deployed with the City Rider Squad near the old police lines, within the jurisdiction of Lakki City police station, when the attack took place.