GHALANAI: A man was killed when an improvised explosive device went off in Safi tehsil of Mohmand Agency here on Friday.

Local people said that the victim, Mohammad Alam of Charmang area of Bajaur Agency, was going to a mosque for Friday prayers in the Ziarat Kali area when the IED planted by unidentified miscreants exploded. He died on the spot.

Safi Tehsil Political Tehsildar Miraj Khan confirmed the incident and said that the victim was passing by the place when the IED exploded.

Meanwhile, an official of the bomb disposal squad suffered injuries when an IED he was trying to defuse exploded. He was identified as Sepoy Gul Zar Khan. He was shifted to a local hospital.

After the incident, the security forces conducted a search operation in the area. However, no arrests were made till filing of this report.

Also in the day, the security forces defused a missile planted by unknown miscreants in the mountains near Ghalanai on Thursday-Friday night.

Meanwhile, the security remained tight in the tribal region on the second day after militants gunned down nine khasadars on Thursday.

Owing to the precarious security situation, the political administration and security forces have banned movement of vehicular traffic from 8pm to 8am.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2016