KHAR: A worker of Awami National Party was wounded in a roadside bomb blast in Bajaur Agency’s Utmankhel tehsil on Sunday, local people and officials said.

They said the blast took place at around 7.30am in Hiyati area, some 22 kilometres east of Khar, the main town of the tribal agency.

The officials quoted eyewitnesses as saying that Dr Zar Wali Khan was on way to his medicine store from his home when a bomb planted along the road went off as his motorbike passed the spot.

They said the bomb was detonated with a remote control.

He received multiple injuries and was shifted to the agency headquarters hospital, Khar, where his condition was stated to be out of danger.

Later, officials of the local administration along with Bajaur Levies personnel reached the site of the blast and launched a hunt for the perpetrators.

However, no arrest was made till filing of this report, nor any militant outfit claimed responsibility for the blast.

According to local people, Zar Wali Khan had no personal enmity in the area and had been associated with ANP for the last several years.

Besides, running a medicine store, Zar Wali was also a medical practitioner.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2017