SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: Three children lost their lives and one sustained injuries in a landmine explosion in Mandokai village of Shawal tehsil here on Friday.

Official sources said that the incident occurred during a volleyball tournament in the area.

They said on Friday afternoon, some youth and children were going to watch a volleyball match in Mandokai village. They said instead of taking the mountainous route, they took a shortcut path, leading to venue of the tournament. They said one of children stepped on a landmine planted by unknown miscreants. As a result, a huge explosion took place, claiming lives of three children on the spot, while one was critically injured.

The deceased were identified as Naqeebullah, Noor Mohammad and Fakhruddin, while Hakimullah sustained injuries.

After receiving initial medical assistance at a local hospital, the injured child was referred to the District Headquarters Hospital, Dera Ismail Khan.

Meanwhile, unknown armed robbers looted tourists near Sharawangi checkpost in Upper South Waziristan district on Thursday night.

Former provincial assembly candidate Taj Wazir told Dawn that unidentified persons made a blockade a few hundred meters from the Sharawangi checkpost. He said after robbing tourists, the armed men fled the scene.

Taj Wazir said the armed men took away 21 mobile phones, Rs700,000 cash and a car from tourists.

The tourists staged a demonstration near the checkpost, but no government official came to meet them.

Abid Wazir, a tourist, said the police in Upper Waziristan did not cooperate with the tourists.

He said they were returning from Razmak in North Waziristan to Wana in Lower Waziristan when unknown men robbed them at gunpoint.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2024