SOUTH WAZIRISTAN/DI KHAN: Three people, including an Afghan driver, were killed and three others injured when unidentified men opened fire on family members of tribal leader Malik Sardar Ali Wazir in Lower South Waziristan tribal district, the police said on Monday.

The incident occurred on the third day of Eidul Fitr in the Birmal tehsil’s Azam Warsak Darablai area, where gunmen ambushed the family near its house, according to district police officer Mohammad Tahir Shah.

Police said thatthe attackers resorted to indiscriminate firing, killing Afghan driver Mashad Khan, Noor Rahman and Zahidullah and injuring Saleem and Ikramullah.

They said that the attackers fled afterward.

Gunmen kill govt school headmaster in Dera

The family and neighbours shifted the injured to the district headquarters hospital in Wana where doctors provided them with emergency care.

Hospital sources insisted that the condition of the injured was stable.

DPO Tahir Shah said that the police had launched an investigation and were conducting raids to arrest assailants.

“Initial evidence suggests that it’s an act of terrorism. However, a final conclusion will be drawn after thorough investigation,” he said.

Police officials said that the family of Malik Wazir had no enmity.

The family was also targeted in the past as well but no one was hurt.

The Government Middle School near the tribal elder’s house was twice targeted by militants with explosive material, destroying the building and disrupting classes.

Residents complained that the Eid gun attack triggered fear and panic.

They demanded strict security measures and the early arrest of gunmen for punishment.

Separately, a government school headmaster was killed by gunmen near Hathala Kulachi of Dera Ismaik Khan district on Tuesday.

The police declared the incident a targeted attack.

Police sources said that Niaz Ali, the headmaster of Government High School Haji Mora and a resident of Gul Imam area, was attacked when he was riding a motorcycle to his native village in Tank. He died immediately, while the attackers fled.

The residents praised Niaz Ali as a competent and dedicated educationist and said that he was committed to promoting formal learning in the area.

They said that Niaz Ali’s murder was a major blow to the cause of education.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2026