MANSEHRA: The chief of Torghar Levies escaped unhurt from a bomb blast in Judbah Mera area of the district on Tuesday morning.

An improvised explosive device went off outside the house of Gulfaraz when his vehicle drove past it, according to district police officer Bilal Ahmad.

He told reporters that the explosion left a crater on the road but didn’t hurt anyone.

The DPO said the terror attack targeted the Torghar Levies chief.

He said police had begun investigation after cordoning off the area, while bomb disposal experts collected items from the blast site for examination.

“It will be premature to say any explosive material used in the explosion, so the media should wait for the investigation to complete.

“We [police] have sealed the district’s all entry and exit points and are trying to identify culprits,” he said.

The Torghar Levies, which was trained by the Pakistan Army in counter-terrorism, helps the local police maintain law and order.

Meanwhile, a woman fell into the Indus River while cutting the grass in Judbah area of Torghar district on Tuesday.

Rescue 1122 began a search for the body but the river’s raging water hampered it, according to its emergency officer Mohsin Tanoli.

He said the woman slipped and fell into the river while cutting the grass in the mountainous Gongi Kamar village.

Mr Tanoli said the locals tried to rescue her but she was swept away by the torrent.

He said Rescue 1122 led the search for the body along with local divers.

“We’re using ferries and other available means to ensure the recovery of the body,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 has formally launched its services in Torghar district.

Former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced the establishment of the Rescue 1122 station in Torghar during a visit, according to Rescue 1122 emergency officer Mohsin Tanoli.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2023