MINGORA, Dec 23: A suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into an army convoy, killing four soldiers and six other people on the Shahdara Road on Sunday evening. According to official sources, 29 people were injured.

The convoy was returning after carrying out anti-militant operations in various areas of Khwazakhela and Charbagh when it was attacked. The ISPR put the death toll at seven, four soldiers and three civilians.

Official sources said that soon after the attack, security forces cordoned off the area and even police personnel were asked to keep away.

Because curfew had been relaxed in that part of the Swat district, civilians were also hit as the bomber struck the convoy on a busy route.

Witnesses said the vehicle used in the attack was completely destroyed while an army van, a rickshaw and a pick-up were damaged.

Officials said the place was strewn with bodies and human limbs. The injured were taken to the Saidu Sharif Hospital.“We are still ascertaining the exact cause of the explosion, but preliminary information collected by us suggests that it was a suicide bombing,” said an official of the Mingora police station.

The ISPR claimed that at about 6pm a suicide bomber who was riding a vehicle blew himself up near the Mehboob petrol pump in Mingora city. Seven persons were killed and 29 others were injured, 15 of them security personnel.

On the occasion of Eidul Azha, the curfew had been relaxed in Mingora and areas south of it, but from Fizzagut onward the curfew was imposed after 8pm on Saturday.

The forces have destroyed the residences of three alleged militants. The residence of Qari Mushtaq was blown up in Gulibagh area, and that of Rasheed Ahmad and his brother Bashir Ahmad in Charbagh.

Meanwhile, a blast was reported near Manglawar. Officials said that an improvised explosive device planted on a road went off at about 4.00 pm.

Corps Commander visit: The Peshawar corps commander, Lt. Gen Muhammad Masood Aslam visited various battalions and formations deployed in Swat and offered the Eid greetings.

He praised all ranks of Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps for serving with devotion and dedication.

The General Officer Commanding Major Gen Nasser Khan Janjua and IG Frontier Corps Maj Gen Muhammad Alam Khattak accompanied the corps commander during the visit.