Twin explosions: Security official killed, two injured in IED blasts

Search operation launched in Safi tehsil, Mohmand Agency.

GHALLANAI:

A security official was killed while two others were severely injured on Tuesday in two separate improvised explosive device (IED) blasts in Safi tehsil of Mohmand Agency.

An official of the political administration in Ghallanai told The Express Tribune that a couple of security officials were bringing water back from a nearby spring when an IED went off near them in Qandaro area of Safi tehsil.

According to the political administration official, the wounded security personnel were airlifted to a hospital in Peshawar in critical condition.



Following this, the security forces launched a search operation in the area. Meanwhile, another IED planted in the locality also exploded, killing lance naik Gulzar Khan on the spot.

The search operation continued and no arrests were made till this report was filed.

On the other hand, the political administration has launched a search operation in Baro Khel area of Haleemzai in response to the previous day’s IED attack. On Monday afternoon, an IED exploded on Khapakh Road near a vehicle of the security forces carrying oil. The explosion left three officials wounded and the vehicle partially damaged. The injured officials were taken to a hospital and were said to be in stable condition.

During Tuesday’s search operation in Haleemzai, the political administration demolished the house of a suspect identified as Arif, while six tribesmen were arrested under the collective responsibility clause of the Frontier Crimes Regulations.



Extortion

Unidentified extortionists placed explosives at the main gate of a travel agent’s house in Choki Korana area of Tangi, Charsadda. The ensuing explosion left the gate and boundary wall damaged.

According to the police, Gul Zada had been receiving extortion threats for a while and this was the second time his house had been targeted over his refusal to pay up.

Separately, the body of a lady health worker kidnapped several months ago was found in Shabqadar Bazaar in Tangi.

According to the police, the LHW and her daughter had been kidnapped allegedly by Mushtaq and Alam Khan in February. Police claimed Mushtaq was shot dead by unidentified people in Islamabad while Alam is still at large.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st, 2014.