Roadside blast: Four security officials killed, 10 injured

Outlawed group Ansarul Mujahideen claims responsibility.

MIRANSHAH: Four security officials were killed and 10 others were injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off near a security forces convoy at a roadside in Speen Waam, North Waziristan on Thursday.

The explosion occurred around 45 kilometres east of Miranshah, headquarters of the agency. A security forces official said the bomb, planted by unidentified militants, was aimed at the armed forces convoy en route to Speen Waam tehsil from Dandi Kach Camp.

The official said the explosion was heard kilometres away from the site, while four officials were killed. The vehicle was completely destroyed.

The injured were rushed to Bannu and Thal Combined Military Hospitals; one was said to be in critical condition.

The outlawed group, Ansarul Mujahideen, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Talking to the media from an undisclosed location, the group’s spokesperson, Abu Baseer, said the attack was carried out to avenge the death of those killed in the US drone strike on a seminary in Hangu.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2013.