KHAR, Nov 20: The chief of a tribal lashkar and eight other people were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a mosque in Bajaur Agency on Thursday.

According to an official claim, 17 militants, including 11 foreigners, were killed when security forces, backed by helicopter gunships and artillery, pounded militants’ hideouts in Mamond area.

Eyewitnesses said that the bomber succeeded in making his way into the mosque on the premises of the house of one Malak Rehmatullah during Maghrib prayers.

Malak Rehmatullah, a tribal chieftain and head of Mamond lashkar, and eight of his close relatives, including a nephew, were killed. Five people died on the spot and four in hospital.

Local people said that Rehmatullah was the target.

Militants had earlier killed Salrazai lashkar chief Malak Fazli Karim and Oryazai lashkar chief Malak Fazli Mabud.

It was the second suicide attack in two weeks in Mamond area. The first attack took place on Nov 6 when a bomber blew himself up at a tribal jirga, killing 25 people, including the jirga head.

Troops attacked militants’ positions in Speray, Gatkai and Kharkai areas of Mamond, some 40kms from Khar. Fourteen militants, including four Uzbeks and seven Afghans, were killed.

Local commander Khan Zarin, his son and a guest were killed when their house was attacked in Dabarai area.

According to an ISPR spokesman, 24 militants, including foreigners and a local commander, were killed during 24 hours of the operation in Dabarai, Speray, Gatki, Bagori and Zarbandar areas of Mamond and Nawagai tehsils.

Fierce clashes between security forces and militants also took place in Zorband area, eight kilometres from Lowi Sam.