- Khasadar official killed, 11 injured in bombings in Mohmand and Bajaur agencies
- Mohmand TTP chief claims responsibility for attacks, shows resolve for more attacks
Banned terrorist outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Sunday claimed to have bombed security forces’ convoys in Mohmand and Bajaur agencies.
At least one man was killed and five others were injured in two remote-controlled bombings in Mohmand. The deceased was a Khasadar Force official.
Official sources said that the blasts occurred in the Chamarkand area of Safi Tehsil.
According to tehsildar Miraj Khan, a bomb disposal squad team was sweeping through a road when it was targeted by an improvised explosive device (IED).
Rescue teams reached the scene and shifted the injured to hospitals in Bajaur Agency.
Moreover, at least six Levies personnel and a woman were injured in a remote-controlled blast targeting a vehicle in Bajaur Agency.
Official sources said that the vehicle was targeted near the Rashkai area of Khar, Bajaur Agency headquarters. The vehicle was completely destroyed.
The military sources also confirmed that five security personnel were injured in the attack.
Rescue teams immediately reached the scene of the incident and shifted the injured to a nearby hospital. Some of the injured were reported to be in a critical condition.
Separately, a curfew has been imposed for an indefinite period in North Waziristan Agency. Security forces have been ordered to open fire on violators. The curfew will be relaxed in Billu Khan area from 10am to 12pm and 12pm to 2pm in Malikpur area.
On the other hand, army sources said that a security official was killed and three others, including a security man, were injured in a landmine blast on Mamdgat Road in Mohmand Agency.
TTP CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY:
Mohmand TTP chief Omar Khalid Khorasani claimed responsibility for the attacks on security forces in Mohmand and Bajaur agencies.
The top terrorist leader tweeted, “The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Mohmand Agency claims the responsibility for two different remote-controlled bombings in Mohmand Agency in which two security forces were killed and 5 other were injured.”
He showed his resolve to carry on such attacks on security forces.
TALKS STALLED:
The latest attacks came in wake of a stalemate in the peace talks between the government and the Taliban Shura.
Infighting in Taliban ranks is said to have been the main reason for the delay in the second direct talks with the TTP main consultative body.
While the government has repeatedly given time to resume the talks, Taliban negotiators including Prof Ibrahim have called for the army’s representation in the dialogue. According to him, the army was the real stakeholder in the talks and therefore it should be included in the direct talks with the Taliban Shura for a result-oriented process.
The government is yet to respond to Ibrahim’s statement, however Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is reported to have told Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar to give the talks a last chance before other options to bring peace are considered.
