KHAR: A member of a local peace committee was wounded in a roadside explosion in Malakana area of Salarzai tehsil on Thursday night.

“Rohal Ameen along with several other volunteers of the peace committee was going to a checkpost for night duty when the improvised explosive device planted on a roadside by unidentified miscreants went off, critically injuring Mr Ameen,” local administration officials said. They added that other people remained unhurt in the blast.

The peace body members shifted the injured to the agency headquarters hospital for treatment where he was said to be in critical condition.

No one has claimed responsibility for the incident. Meanwhile, Bajaur Levies and peace committee members launched a joint search operation in the area to apprehend the perpetrators.

CROSS BORDER ATTACKS: Bajaur Agency political agent Syed Abdul Jabar Shah has said that law and order in the agency, particularly in the border areas, is improving as cross border attacks have come down significantly because of effective measures taken by the local administration.He was speaking to a delegation of tribal elders and workers of various political and religious parties here on Friday.

Mr Shah said the administration was committed to eliminating anti-social elements from the agency as peace and stability were vital for sustainable development.

The political agent urged the elders and workers of political and religious parties to play their role in purging the agency of militancy and social evils.

He said that despite threats of militant attacks during Eid, the religious festival went by peacefully across the agency.

On the occasion, the delegates apprised the political agent of the problems facing the people of border areas.

They accused the Levies men deployed at bazaars and other public places of misbehaving with people, and urged the political agent to transfer the erring personnel.

Published in Dawn, Aug 2nd , 2014