Tribal elder killed in roadside blast in Bajaur

A brother of a pro-government tribal elder was killed and another sustained injury in a roadside bomb blast in the Mamond tehsil of Bajaur Agency on Sunday evening, sources said. They said that the incident took place in the Tarkhoo area, some 18km north-west of Khar, the headquarters of the tribal agency. The political administration of Bajaur said the IED blast in Tarkho killed Malik Fazal Manan while Malik Aleem Gul was critically injured.“Malik Fazal Manan died on the spot and Aleem Gul sustained serious injuries in the explosion,” an official said. According to the officials, the bomb was detonated by a remote control. The roadside blast occurred when they were taking a walk in their village on Sunday. Malik Fazal lost his life on the spot, whereas his fellow elder Aleem Gul was critically injured and has been shifted to Peshawar. A team of local administration officials and Levies personnel also reached the spot to trace the attackers, but no arrest was made till filing of this report. Earlier, Pak Army North Command Sector Commander Brig Amir Kiani said that action would continue against anti-state elements in Bajaur till elimination of the last terrorist. Brig Kiani replaced Brig Mohammad Ziaul Islam in a ceremony at Bajaur Scouts headquarters here on Sunday. Senior officials of security forces and local administration, including Commander Bajaur Scouts Col Nayyar Zaman, Assistant Political Agent Mohammad Ali, tribal elders and members of peace committees, political leaders and traders attended the ceremony. On the occasion, Brig Ziaul Islam handed over the command stick to Brig Kiani. Speaking at the function, Brig Kiani said that he would continue the policy of his predecessor to rid the agency of militancy. He called upon the tribal elders to extend support to security forces to maintain peace and normalcy in the agency.