PESHAWAR, May 14: Five militants were killed and as many security men injured in different incidents in Mohmand Agency on Saturday while two blasts each rocked Peshawar and Swabi without causing any loss to human life.

Security officials claimed that five militants were killed and several injured in a clash during the ongoing military operation in Suran Dara area of Mohmand tribal region.

Mohmand Taliban spokesman also admitted that three militants were killed in the exchange of fire with security forces. He claimed that several security personnel were also killed and injured.

Security forces claimed more gains in violence-plagued Baizai and Safi tehsil of Mohmand Agency.

In another incident, five security men and two civilians were injured when a landmine exploded in Safi tehsil of Mohmand Agency on Saturday.

Local people said that soldiers were patrolling the area when explosive device planted on a dirt track in Bankhel area near Afghan border went off. Five soldiers, a girl and a driver received injuries, they said. One of the injured soldiers was in critical condition, they added.

Separately, bomb disposal squad defused an eight-kilogram improvised explosive device in Yakaghund area of the tribal region. The device was planted near the main road.

Meanwhile, militants fired seven rockets at the residence of chief of Haleemzai Peace Committee, Haji Mohammad Ali, on Thursday night. The committee head remained unhurt.

In Peshawar, two bombs exploded along the G.T. Road at Tarnab Farm in the limits of Chamkani police station on Saturday.

However, people in the area remained unhurt, police said.

An official said that both the blasts occurred simultaneously with a gap of 10 minutes at about 10.30am. He said that they did not know as to what could be the target.

“We have searched the area and started close vigilance on the entry and exit points to different districts but the actual culprits could not be arrested so far,” the official said.

He said that another blast occurred in the area a few days ago. He said that some suspected people were taken into custody but they were released after initial interrogation.

An official of the bomb disposal unit said that the blasts didn't cause any loss as the area was open and population was also far away from the blasts site.

The official said that they were time devices. “We have collected pieces of the packing canisters,” he said, adding the blasts might have been carried out for creating panic among the people.

In Swabi, two blasts rocked Saifur Market in the densely polluted area of Yar Hussain on Friday night, said officials of district administration here on Saturday.

However, no casualty was reported because the market was closed at the time of blasts.

There was no one in the entire market while the watchman was patrolling the area. “All the shops were closed when the blasts rocked the market,” said an official.

Officials rejected the claim made by people that in fact three blasts occurred in the market. They said that target of militants were five CD shops in the market.

They said that militants planted explosives in the water cooler. The bombs went off one after another, creating panic among the locals. The blasts awoke people and officials and policemen rushed to market to know the cause and damage.

Officials said that all shops in the market were damaged by the blasts. Police have registered FIR at Yar Hussain police station against unidentified militants and started investigations.

Officials recalled that about two years ago CD shops were targeted in the Shewa Adda. Majority of the CD traders gave up the business, they added. However, a number of them restarted their business and traders here said that blasts at Yar Hussain market would certainly affect their business.

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...