GHALANAI, July 28: Six children died and several others were hospitalised as measles broke out in remote areas of Ambar tehsil of Mohmand tribal region.

In the Loya Shah village of Ambar tehsil, 60km from agency headquarters Ghalanai, two children of Maulana Mohammad Khan fell victim to the deadly disease, as the epidemic attained alarming proportions, a local Mushtaq told Dawn on phone.

He said that four more children died and over dozen others were hospitalised in Guhmbati, Shah Jee Kore, Soor Tangi, Bakhmal Shah, Musa Kore, Koat Miangan, Kario Kore and other remote areas of the tehsil.

Residents complained that no health team was sent to the area to take preventive measures and save affected children. They added that the rural health centre in the area lacked the measles vaccines and failed to handle patients in such a large number.

The people of the affected areas demanded of the government to immediately send medical teams to the area. Agency surgeon Dr Farooq Shah told Dawn that the health department would send medical teams and medicines to the affected areas to curb the disease.