MARDAN, Feb 28: At least five policemen were injured when a home-made bomb went off on the Sawal Dher road on Wednesday-Thursday mid-night.

The injured included an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) and two constables of the Jabbar police station. Sources said that a police party including ASI Irfan Khan, Head Constable Latif Khan, constables Khalid Khan, Dawor Khan and driver Sanaullah were on routine patrolling when the bomb reportedly went off, which had been placed along the road by unidentified persons.

However, some locals told this correspondent that the attack was the result of firing of a rocket on the police vehicle. The injured were admitted to a local hospital.

It may be added that the area is notorious for attacks on security forces and police stations as criminals and militants reside in the area. In the past they had attacked on local police stations including Shahbaz Garhi, Choora, Rustam, Katlang and Jabbar.

Two encounters between the police and militants have been reported during the last two months.— Correspondent