At least five people, including two leading tribal elders, were killed and another six injured as a result of an IED attack in Chamarkand on Thursday. Officials believe that pro-government tribal elders, Malik Khushhal Khan and Malik Nasar Khan, were targeted in the attack. According to details, the two leading tribal elders and others were on way to Khar from Chamarkand when their vehicle was targeted with an IED, causing the deaths. The killed and injured are stated to be close relatives and supporters of Khushhal and Nasar. Condition of several of the injured was stated to be critical.The officials believed that militants, escaped from Swat and other parts of Malakand, were hiding in the Bajaur and Kunar border regions.
Meanwhile, at least three militants were killed and another two apprehended after a clash with security forces in the outskirts of Mingora in the wee hours of Thursday. Officials said the killed militants also included a suicide bomber who had blown himself up with explosive attached with his body. Per details, on the midnight between Wednesday and Thursday, a group of five militants had come to surface in Malookabad-Pathaney. The security forces asked the militants to stop and surrender but they resorted to firing. In retaliation, the security forces also opened fire killing two on the spot. One of the militants was a suicide bomber, who blew himself up. The officials said two militants were arrested. The officials said one security forces’ official was also killed and another two were injured.