Kurram violence: Two security men die in landmine blast

PARACHINAR/ JAMRUD:

A landmine blast killed two security personnel and left two more injured in Kurram Agency on Thursday.

Officials said that militants had planted explosives on a track used by security officers to provide water to a nearby check post near Oarmagai. After the blast, the militants opened fire at the vehicle, which was destroyed.

An official said the incident took place close to the border of Khyber Agency, where a full-fledged military operation is under way.

For decades, Kurram has been marred by sectarian violence. A recently concluded military operation has allowed the opening of Thall-Sadda-Parachinar Highway for traffic, but the security situation remains tense.

Explosives seized

The Khasadar force seized a stash of explosives during a raid on a factory in Shakas near Jamrud.

The operation was launched after the political administration received a tip-off about the explosives hidden in the factory. The seized material was shifted to the Jamrud tehsil.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 26^th, 2015.