KHAR, May 28: Eight militants were killed and four others seriously injured when a vehicle loaded with ammunition blew up in the Salarzai tehsil of Bajaur on Tuesday night.

Assistant Political Agent Muhammad Iqbal Khattak told Dawn on Wednesday that the vehicle carrying explosives was going from Bajaur to Jandol in the Upper Dir district.

He denied reports that the vehicle had been hit by a missile, adding that it was an accidental explosion which completely destroyed the vehicle.

According to local people, several loud explosions rocked the area. Sources said the vehicle had hit a boulder, causing the explosion.

Eight militants in the vehicle were killed on the spot while four others were injured. Their names could not be ascertained.

The sources said that some people immediately removed the bodies and took the injured to a private clinic in Inayet Kali and later to some unknown place.