KHAR, Dec 1: Three militants were killed and three others injured in two encounters between the local Taliban and Bajaur Scouts personnel here on Saturday. Officials said a group of armed Taliban went to a market in Khar in a pick-up. The Bajaur Scouts personnel encircled them and asked them to lay down arms, but they refused and hurled a grenade and opened fire on the scouts.

The security personnel retaliated and in the exchange of fire, one of the militants was killed. The other militants fled, leaving behind his body.

Political Agent Shafeerullah Khan told Dawn that the killed militant had two identity cards in different names — Saeedullah and Ayaz — and he belonged to South Waziristan. The authorities handed over his body to the local Taliban leadership. The militants’ pick-up was impounded.

In the second incident, the scouts signalled a pick-up carrying armed Taliban in the Inayat Kallay area to stop but they lobbed a grenade on the security men, officials said.

They added that the scouts opened fire on the pick-up, killing two men and injuring three others. One of the dead men was identified as Sherzada. The injured were taken to hospital.

Local people said tension gripped the area after the encounters and bazaars in the agency were closed.

Opinion

Editorial

Taliban divisions
Updated 24 Feb, 2025

Taliban divisions

The only workable solution lies in Mullah Akhundzada loosening his iron grip on the country.
Oblivious to drought
24 Feb, 2025

Oblivious to drought

PAKISTAN faces two types of drought: one caused by dry weather or lower-than-normal rainfall, and the other ...
Digital children
24 Feb, 2025

Digital children

AS most parents with young children will agree, the easiest way to pacify a bawling child is to hand them a...
The long wait
Updated 23 Feb, 2025

The long wait

Pakistan’s fundamental problem is that two of its most important leaders still cannot get over themselves.
Defending freedom
23 Feb, 2025

Defending freedom

THERE was no other choice. Despite assurances of consultations with key stakeholders, the government passed the Peca...
Anti-Muslim crimes
23 Feb, 2025

Anti-Muslim crimes

THE surge in Islamophobic assaults in the UK, as reported by the anti-hate crime charity Tell MAMA, is a stark...