Peace committee leader killed in Hangu blast

DSP Gul Jamal says militant factions may be responsible for the attack.

PESHAWAR: A remote-controlled blast on Wednesday killed a peace committee leader and injured two others in Hangu district, which is located near the tribal area, police officials told.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Gul Jamal told The Express Tribune that the blast took place in a vehicle which belonged to the Darband Peace Committee.

“The leader of the committee, Haji Hasjim was killed while two of the committee’s members were severely injured,” said Jamal.

“The blast took place near a petrol pump in the main market when Hashim started his car in order to reach the agency headquarters.”

Jamal said that militant factions may be responsible for the attack.

Earlier on Tuesday, 14 militants were killed during a security operation in Upper Orakzai Agency.

Clashes took place in the Khadezai and Ali Khel areas of Upper Orakzai Agency when security forces made an advance towards militant sanctuaries.

More than 150 militants have so far been killed during the ongoing security operation with dozens of hideouts destroyed and countless others injured. Casualties cannot be verified independently as the area is not accessible to media.

Security forces had earlier cleared Lower Orakzai in April, however militants maintained sanctuaries and hideouts in parts of Upper Orakzai, including a stronghold in Mamozai. These areas are now being cleared.