BUNER: District police officer Khalid Mehmood Hamdani narrowly escaped while two police officials were injured in a roadside blast at Nawagai area of Karakar Pass here on Wednesday.

The convoy of DPO Hamdani was on way to Swat district for having a meeting with Malakand DIG Akhtar Hayat Gandapur when an improvised explosive device planted by suspected militants under a culvert on the main road near Nawgai area went off, police said.

They said that two personnel of quick response force identified as driver Noor Mohammad and constable Said Gul received minor injuries. They said that DPO was the apparent target of the attack.

After the blast, the police also opened fire on a vehicle coming from the opposite side, said personnel of the DPO’s squad. According to experts, jammers in the first two vehicles foiled the attempt as the third last vehicle, which was without jammer, came under attack.

The security forces from nearby Karakar checkpost later reached the spot and started rescue work. DIG Hayat and Pakistan Army officials dashed to Buner district to enquire after the DPO. Later, a high-level meeting discussed the situation and joint search operation launched in the locality. Scores of suspected persons were also arrested.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2016