WANA, March 20: A radio booster was blown up in this South Waziristan Agency headquarters town on Sunday night. Officials said the explosion, which took place at about 1:30am, had destroyed the aerial transmission unit and antenna of the radio station.

The radio station had suspended its broadcasts after the explosion, AFP quoted senior producer Humayun Khan as saying.

The government had installed the low frequency radio station in Wana in July 2004, which regularly broadcast programmes in Pashtu language.

The radio station was installed to counter the propaganda of the militants and educate local people about development schemes in the area near Afghan border.

The radio booster had come under attack soon after its installation in 2004. Militants blow up radio tower in Pakistani tribal town

Pazir Gul adds from Miramshah: Two army officers were wounded when their vehicle was struck by a remote-controlled bomb near Miramshah, North Waziristan Agency on Monday.

Officials said the device had exploded at about 11am near Esha checkpost, some 15 kilometres east of the agency’s headquarters.

An official said the vehicle was part of the army convoy, which was proceeding from Miramshah to a military base in Bannu.

He said the vehicle was hit by a remote controlled device planted on the road at Mubarrak Shahi. A major and a captain travelling in the vehicle suffered minor injuries. Their names could not be ascertained.

After the explosion army troops cordoned off the entire area and started search operation. No arrest was made from the area.

The station is near several government buildings and local administration offices as well as a base of the paramilitary Frontier Constabulary.

“It is the work of pro-Taliban elements. They attacked the tower last year also,” a security official said, requesting anonymity.