Five people were martyred on Sunday when a remote-controlled bomb went off at a roadside in Bajaur Agency's Loye Mamond area, said officials.

Local Tehsildar Fawad Ali and four Levies personnel lost their lives in the blast, said the political administration.

Ali, along with Levies personnel, was patrolling in Garigal area when his vehicle was targeted with a remote-controlled explosive device, killing him and four Levies personnel on the spot. All the bodies were shifted to the agency headquarters hospital.

The blast took place in the town of Mamoond — some 25 kilometres from Khar, the main town of Bajaur — one of the country's seven semi-autonomous tribal districts where the army has been battling Taliban.

Security forces have cordoned off the blast site and a search operation is being conducted.

Nobody immediately claimed responsibility for the bomb explosion; in the past, however, Taliban militants have carried out several suicide bombings and other attacks in the district.

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

PAKISTAN has now registered 50 polio cases this year. We all saw it coming and yet there was nothing we could do to...
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...