Bajaur blast: Two pro-govt militia men killed, four suspects arrested

KHAR:

Two members of a pro-government militia were killed in Chamarkand teshil, Bajaur Agency when an improvised explosive device (IED) planted at a roadside detonated on Saturday.

Chamarkand political administration official Abdul Malik said the explosion took place in Bar Chamarkand, 40 kilometres northwest of Khar, the headquarters of Bajaur Agency. The bomb was planted at a roadside drain, informed Malik.

Two members of a pro-government tribal peace committee, Khatir Khan and Noor Khan, were close to the site when the IED went off and died instantly. Another IED exploded about 10 minutes after the first one, but there were no casualities, added Malik.

Bajaur Scouts officials rushed to the area and cordoned it off. Later the scouts launched a search operation, and “arrested four male suspects during the operation,” added Malik.



An official of the bomb disposal squad said the IED which claimed two lives weighed three kilogrammes.

Another blast occurred in the same area on June 9, but caused no casualties. According to Malik, five blasts have occurred there in the past two months, killing 12 tribesmen, including two levies officials and two men of the Bajaur Scouts. He pointed out this area was located near the Afghan border so it was very vulnerable to such incidents.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2013.