KHAR: The Levies force foiled a sabotage attempt by defusing a bomb near a mosque on the Pak-Afghan border in Mamond tehsil of Bajaur Agency on Thursday night.

A local administration official said on Friday that the Levies personnel had received a tip about the presence of a remotely controlled bomb planted by unknown persons near a mosque in Zareai area. He said that a Levies team arrived at the scene and recovered the explosive device planted near the mosque’s boundary wall.

The official said that raids were being carried out to trace and arrest the terrorists.

The official praised the area people by timely informing the administration about the presence of bomb, thus averting a big disaster.

The official added that strict security measures had been taken to protect lives and property of the people in Bajaur. He said a number of levies and security personnel had been deployed in various areas to keep watch on suspected militants.

The official said that several new checkpoints had also been set up in various areas to thwart entry of suspected persons into trade centres, bazaars and public places.

He said the administration had also tightened security along the border with Afghanistan by deploying additional security personnel.

The official said the administration also directed the tribal elders, members of peace committees and Qaumi Lashkar to prevent terror incidents in their respective areas.

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2014