IED explodes near security forces convoy

MIRANSHAH: An improvised explosive device (IED) planted by unidentified militants went off near a security forces convoy on Datta Khel-Miranshah Road in North Waziristan Agency on Tuesday. No loss was reported in the blast.

A security official said the convoy was heading towards Miranshah, agency headquarters, when a loud explosion was heard near one of the vehicles. Security forces launched an operation, but no arrests were made till the filing of this report.

In another incident, security forces were on patrol when an official spotted an IED near Amin check post. The device was defused by the bomb disposal squad.

A curfew has been in place in most parts of the agency since Tuesday morning. Vehicles full of passengers were parked at check posts at entry points to the agency, while all businesses and educational institutes remained closed. Meanwhile, the political administration officials demanded local tribesmen handover the culprits behind the IED blast on Sunday under the collective responsibility clause of FCR.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th, 2013.