At least five people, including a peace committee chief, were killed and two others wounded in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in South Waziristan on Thursday, officials said.
According to them, the incident took place at about 3:30pm in Spinkai area of the tribal agency bordering Afghanistan when the group of pro-government fighters was returning from a function.
Their vehicle was attacked remotely, added the officials.
The officials said the group was part of a volunteers’ militia helping the military in operations against terrorists.
They said the group’s leader, Wali Jan, had earlier survived a suicide attack but continued to play a role in fighting Taliban militants. Other victims were identified as Malik Mewa Khan, Ahmed Gul, Zaman Khan and Malik Ayar Dil Khan, and the injured as Ahmed Jan and Khalid.
A faction of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), known as the Sajna group, claimed the responsibility for the bomb attack.
Soon after the explosion, high ups of security forces and civil administration rushed to the site and launched a rescue operation. The security forces also went on a search operation.