LOWER DIR: Former chief of Amn Lashkar (peace committee) in Lower Dir, Malak Khan Badshah, remained unhurt while his son and a security guard were injured when a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) exploded near his vehicle at Barjo Gat area of Maidan in the jurisdiction of Lal Qila police station here on Thursday, police and residents said.

They said Mr Badshah was on his way to Sar Banda Maidan to attend a jirga. The IED went off when the vehicle reached Barjo Gat. As a result, Badshah’s son and a security guard, identified as Habibur Rehman, were injured and he himself escaped unhurt while the front part of the vehicle was damaged.

Soon after the incident the security forces cordoned off the area and started a search operation. No one has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. The Lal Qila police registered a case against unknown attackers and have started investigation.

Later, Mr Badshah told mediapersons that such cowardly attempts could not stop him from supporting the security forces and civil administration in safeguarding the area.

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2020