Two tribal elders killed in roadside blast in Bajaur

SHABQADAR/ KHAR: Two pro-government tribal elders were killed in separate bomb blasts in Bajaur Agency on Tuesday. The Bajaur assistant political agent said tribal elder Malik Younus was killed, while three of his companions were injured in the roadside blast in Gulu Shah.

Security forces reached the site and shifted the injured to a nearby hospital. Two of the wounded were identified as Ijaz and Hazrat, both sons of the deceased. At least 15 suspects were apprehended later under the collective responsibility clause.

Malik Younus was an active pro-government leader and was heading the peace committee in Salarzai. He was on the forefront of the anti-Taliban peace militia in 2008.

Later in the day, another pro-government tribal elder Malik Musanif Khan was killed in Mamond. Musanif was on his way home from a mosque when an IED exploded, killing him on the spot. On Monday night, ANP Bajaur finance secretary Dr Zarwali was critically wounded after he was shot at by unidentified assailants. Political administration officials confirmed the incident. They said Zarwali was coming back after a house call in Mano Dherai, Utman Khel when he was fired upon.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2015.